The middle school years are the time when students are forming independent health habits. This is why the middle school component is so important to our program According to the 2008 North Carolina Prevention Report Card almost one-third of high school youth (30%) are overweight or obese, compared to 27% in 2002. Only half of high school and middle school youth are getting the recommended amount of physical activity. Recent attention has continued to be focused on the fact that children are now developing what were once considered “adult” medical problems. These problems include preventable conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, skin cancers, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The wellness program is designed to teach students about their personal responsibility to their health and help them realize that they have the power to change their own health outcomes!

For more information on the Middle School Wellness Program