U of A students create program to combat childhood obesity
Group hopes instilling culture of exercise at young age will create life-long habits
A group of University of Alberta students are hoping to put their studies into practice by leading a new physical activity program for Edmonton kids.
About 30 volunteers from the student-run club Run for Support and Health (RuSH) are looking to use play-based physical activities to instil lifelong exercise and healthy-living habits in children as young as three.
RuSH president Peter Anto Johnson came up with the idea of the program as a way to combine his interests — running and preventive health.
The program, called Physical Literacy for Active Youth (PLAY), aims to address pediatric obesity, by promoting exercise and playing outdoors, said Johnson.
“In our community and globally, obesity is a huge health-care crisis,” said the fourth-year honours physiology student.
“It starts from a young age so we’re working with kids three to six years old.”
The program focuses on teaching physical literacy, educating children on how running around and playing outdoors benefits their bodies.
“Physical health and play are intertwined,” said Johnson.
Aside from helping children develop healthy physical habits, the program gives the volunteer students an opportunity for professional development and mentorship. The students have varying backgrounds in education, kinesiology, physiology and health and will be able to teach each other as well as the children, said Johnson.
Using a team approach, the students plan to use their combined knowledge to tailor the program to each group of children. With an average of one volunteer for every three kids, the students will focus on small-group activities that cater to the children’s interests.
“The main thing is having fun and that the kids can let loose,” Johnson said.
So far, RuSH has a program in the works with junior and senior preschool classes at the University of Alberta’s Infant Toddler Centre. They also plan to start an after-school program at Garneau School for older children in the coming weeks.
“We’re hoping to get PLAY out into the community and not just in one or two schools and daycare centres,” Johnson said.