Health District, Nevada Athletics and School District team up to improve student health

Program aimed to reduce overweight and obesity problems among school children

RENO, NV – The Washoe County Health District, Nevada Athletics and the Washoe County School District are teaming up to encourage healthy behaviors through the Wolf Pack Coaches Challenge.  The Coaches Challenge is a free, voluntary, four-week program for elementary school classrooms aimed at increasing physical activity during the school day and educating students on healthy eating habits. 

For the past several years, height and weight data were collected on samples of Washoe County School District 4th, 7th and 10th grade students. 2015-2016 statistics indicate that 15.6% of 4th grade students were overweight, and another 15.6% were obese.  TheCoaches Challenge program is a promising approach to curbing this problem in our community. 

The Coaches Challenge was first implemented by Southern Nevada Health District in 2007, and has demonstrated tremendous success in increasing physical activity and improving eating habits in thousands of elementary school students.  “Through our partnership with Nevada Athletics and the Washoe County School District, we hope to mirror the positive outcomes experienced in Southern Nevada,” said Kitty Jung, Chair of the Washoe County District Board of Health. 

Teachers are provided a curriculum that aligns with Nevada state education standards while incorporating physical activity with lessons that encourage healthy eating habits.  Over the course of the four-week program, students track their physical activity, as well as their fruit and vegetable consumption to earn points.  Winning elementary school classrooms are selected at each grade level for highest point average, and are rewarded with visits from University of Nevada Wolf Pack coaches and athletes. 

More information about theWolf Pack Coaches Challenge, including how teachers can sign up to participate, can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/WolfPackChallenge.