Preface

We are happy that you are taking the time to read through our program materials. As you may know, adolescent overweight has become a severe public health problem in the United States. Wellness programs are urgently needed to promote healthy eating and physical activity among youth.

Teem-up for Fitness is a peer-led wellness program for overweight prevention.  What makes this program unique is the foundation of leadership skills and group cooperation which students will build in the course of establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. The instruction of leadership skills, couched in wellness promotion and overweight prevention, will offer every student the opportunity to develop his/her own independence and leadership capabilities, affect his/her own health choices first, and enable them to stop following the crowd when it comes to nutritional or physical fitness choices.  Then, empowered through the supportive atmosphere cultivated by team members and program facilitator, as well as their own experiences with increased energy levels and self-esteem, they can set a behavioral example for friends and perhaps even family.

The program is designed to build positive peer influences through team work.  The practical application of this course is founded upon completion of nutritional and physical fitness Challenges.  Students will have to learn to rely upon other team members in their group in order for each challenge to be completed.  While each team will have its own unique set of personal challenges, the responsibility of each team member to see the good in each other and come up with goals that meet the needs and skills of each team member, based on increased nutrition and physical fitness knowledge, will be a special type of learning experience. 

In summary, the primary goal of Team-Up for Fitness is to develop an enriched understanding of good nutrition and physical fitness activities within its participating adolescents.  Its corresponding secondary goal is to develop leadership skills so that participants can leave the program with enough self-esteem and leadership capabilities to play an important role in helping make positive nutritional and physical fitness changes in their lives.

We hope that you will share your own positive experiences with the program and continue to work to increase positive physical and mental health outcomes for young people.

Team-Up for Fitness staff

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