Health and Wellness
Walk-A-Weigh Nutrition Program for Youth
Walk-a-Weigh is a nutrition education and physical activity program designed to promote healthy nutrition practices and increased physical activity through the creation of small community walking groups. The program has developed several additional lessons to provide the instructor/facilitator the opportunity to conduct a needs assessment to find the topics of greatest need and interest to participants while still meeting each of the eight core competencies within the program.
Love You 2 Relationship Smarts Plus
The Relationship Smarts Plus (RS+) curriculum focuses on personal development related to identity, goals and values, distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors, making safe choices in forming relationships, preventing dating violence, developing communication skills, and preparing for adult roles and responsibilities. The program consists of 13 lessons that build skills and knowledge regarding healthy relationships.
The objectives are to increase teen knowledge of
- healthy and unhealthy relationships,
- healthy dating patterns (using effective approaches to conflict management and communication), and
- the importance of mutual respect, shared values, and commitment.
The program provides teens with the skills to recognize patterns of unhealthy and abusive relationships in terms of verbal or physical aggression, controlling behavior, and lack of respect between partners. This course helps teens feel empowered to make good choices and stand up for themselves when needed. It also aids problem solving and builds communication skills. Finally, RS+ educates teens about the choices and behaviors that put their physical and emotional health at risk.
Publications
News
Staying active and socially involved is not hard during a pandemic when favorite pastimes include outdoor activities and individual hobbies.
It should come as no surprise that 2020 holiday gatherings will have a new element of health safety that impacts every part of the festivities and requires planning.
COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in everyone’s plans. Creating a sense of normalcy while keeping safety measures in mind can be challenging. Just because the holidays aren’t traditional this year doesn’t mean they can’t be fun and memorable.
Parents welcoming a newborn in the COVID-19 era face potentially tough decisions regarding family visits after delivery.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippians now have an online tool for opioid misuse prevention resources and strategies.
Mississippi State University’s Extension Service and Social Science Research Center developed the webpage in collaboration with the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Fahrenheit Creative Group. This new page is a component of an MSU Extension drug prevention initiative called PReventing Opioid Misuse In the SouthEast, or the PROMISE Initiative.
Success Stories
Lexington coalition organizes food giveaway amid pandemic
When the Guardian (U.S. edition) released its article “In the poorest county, in America’s poorest state, a virus hits home: ‘Hunger is rampant’” in early April 2020, a local coalition in Holmes County had already organized to create a food pantry in Lexington.
The Lexington Food Pantry’s food giveaways in Holmes County came together because of a group of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are part of the AIM for CHangE coalition in Lexington. Advancing, Inspiring, and Motivating for Community Health through Extension—AIM for CHangE—develops community-led groups that develop health solutions specifically for local residents.
Start small, but start today. That’s what Scott Stokes was thinking last year when he brought out his bicycle after a 12-year hiatus and started riding again. A new Mississippi State University Extension Service program encouraged him to get back on track. (Photo by Kevin Hudson)
Winston 100 Wellness on Wheels cyclists ride through the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge as the sun rises over a cool fall 2018 morning.
When family and consumer sciences teacher Cassandra Tittle was approached about incorporating a wellness program into her health classes, Walk-A-Weigh was her first preference, because she knew first-hand how effective it could be.
