Model Program - Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Lunch and Learn Seminar
Debby Whiston, Human Environmental Sciences
As an ongoing effort to improve and promote healthy lifestyles, an 8-week Lunch and Learn Seminar was held in Clark County from February 26 to April 23, 1998. Participants were asked to set goals for themselves and were given the opportunity to participate in a health risk assessment and blood pressure screening. The programs were presented by Janet Nixon, County Health Nurse, Lana Dawkins, Area Health Educator, and Debby Whiston, University Outreach and Extension Specialist.
The sessions included: (1) Deciding to Be Healthy; (2) Food Guide Pyramid: What You Need to Eat to Remain Healthy; (3) Facts About Fat in Your Diet; (4) Exercise in Your Life; (5) Making Peace With Your Food; (6) Grocery Store Strategies; (7) Developing a Positive Body Image; (8) Healthy Living for the Rest of Your Life.
Programs were provided during the lunch hour from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. to accommodate for the working individuals who wanted to take advantage of a learning opportunity without adding another evening meeting to their schedule.
Evaluations of the seminar showed that it was beneficial to participants. Most participants indicated they had taken action on some or many of the items discussed in the eight-week program. The overall results indicated that the program was successful in meeting the needs of participants. As a result, programs that support the health and well being of Clark County citizens will continue to be a priority of University Outreach and Extension and the Clark County Health Department as well as worksite wellness programs in the Clark County school system.
If you would like to start a similar program in your community, contact a Missing Piece contributor.The Missing Piece | Educational Opportunities | Article Archive
 |
Nancy Flood, floodn@missouri.edu Consumer & Family Economics Specialist Putnam County University Outreach and Extension Center Last Update: May 23, 2001 |