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
“Flattening the curve” is an important concept in discussions about the coronavirus, but what does it really mean?
“Flattening the curve” refers to the lines on a graph documenting the number of cases compared to the timespan of an outbreak. Normally, when a virus or illness hits a community, there is an early peak in cases (the number of people who get sick), and then the rate of infection slows down, causing the peak to drop. But if that first peak is high, the number of people needing treatment can overwhelm the healthcare system.
Did you know February is Heart Health Month? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. That’s one in every four deaths!
Has anyone heard about the ‘freshman fifteen’? During my first semester of college, I gained more than fifteen pounds. The main culprit was added sugar in soda drinks and desserts
For many of you, chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is old hat and you’re tired of hearing about it. I understand.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Agents and specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service are “promising” to confront the opioid problem in Mississippi communities.
“PReventing Opioid Misuse in the South East,” or PROMISE, is an Extension initiative to address this national crisis in communities across the Southeast. PROMISE is funded by a $310,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
MSU Extension health specialist David Buys said one of the main issues with the misuse of opioids is that they are more accessible than they need to be.
Success Stories
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.
McLeod is one of about 25 members of the group that formed 4 years ago. They meet at the Columbia center that is managed by the New Zion United Methodist Church.
Until recently, the Clover Dawgs 4-H Robotics team in Oktibbeha County needed a bigger robot. Club volunteer leader Robert Rice secured the first donation toward purchasing the machine from his employer.
