WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-Mission Health: Reducing Childhood Obesity through Online Gaming

Reported by Kristen Elicerio

Mission Health: Reducing Childhood Obesity through Online Gaming

Reported by Kristen Elicerio
Email: kelicerio@wkbt.com

Roughly one in every three children and teens in the United States is overweight or obese. But, a new online gaming program is hoping to reverse that trend.

Elementary schools in the West Salem and Holmen school districts are jumping on board with the new program and using it in their classrooms. $330,000 of federal grant money is funding the launch of a new e-learning program created by the Children's Health Education Center.

The CHEC is partnering with the La Crosse County Health Department to teach elementary age kids healthy habits.

It's called Mission Health, an e-learning program that teaches kindergartners through third graders how important it is to stay healthy.

"They will be learning how to make healthy lifestyle choices. The lessons will be fun and interactive for the children," said Jenni Loging, Nutrition Educator with La Crosse County Health Department.

Developers from the Children's Heath and Education Center wanted to make sure the game grabbed kids attention. Mission health consists of six ten minute lessons that teachers can incorporate into their already existing health curriculum.

"We provide a teacher's guide to the teacher that provides them the background information and some assistance as to how to best deliver it. What are some classroom discussion they can do to reinforce the learning that takes place. And then these 10-15 minute modules are projected in the group setting, so the students are able to interact with the teacher using a smart board or other technologies and reinforcing messages throughout the curriculum," said Bridget Clementi, Executive Director of Children's Health Education Center.

La Crosse County Health Nutrition Educators say in targeting the young age group, an entire community benefits.

"They will bring the message home to their family. So, if we can get these messages to these children at these young ages, they can carry that on throughout their life and make healthy lifestyle choices," said Loging.

Mission Health is just one component of where federal grant money is being spent. A portion of the funds will help educate area physicians through a seminar on childhood obesity. Another area called "Fit Families" focuses on sharing health tips to families that are part of La Crosse county's WICK and head start programs.

The Children's Health Education Center is focusing on launching the online program in the La Crosse area through January. Come second semester, they plan to go statewide with the program with the goal of reaching 25,000 students.