Topic: Obesity, Nutrition/Diet
Target Population: Adolescents, Middle Childhood
Sector: Community-Based
Military Sector: All Branches
This program is for youth, ages 6 to 15, who participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
Healthy Habits, a community-based program, is designed to teach youth about good nutrition, regular physical activity, and overall well-being. It is the "mind" component of the BGCA Triple Play: A Game Plan for Mind, Body and Soul* program, which is a program that emphasizes three components: 1) healthy habits (mind), 2) daily challenges (body), and 3) social recreation (soul).
*A separate fact sheet is available for this program.
No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program were located.
Healthy Habits provides information and education to help youth learn healthy habits, including making smart food choices, understanding suitable portion sizes, and creating fun and healthy meals. Lessons address the following topics:
This program is offered through BGCA. A parents guide and other resources for parents can be found at https://www.bgca.org/programs/sports-recreation/triple-play/
This program is available to children in all military branches through military Youth Centers that are BGCA Clubs and through traditional off-site BGCA Clubs. More than one million club members have participated in Triple Play since it was introduced in 2005.
No training is necessary; the Healthy Habits curriculum is delivered by the BGCA.
Considerations for implementing this program include understanding that this program is offered by the BGCA and not all sites offer this specific program, recognizing parents may need to pay for this program and provide transportation for their child(ren), and that the nutrition education in the curriculum does not reflect the most current nutrition guidance.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing Healthy Habits, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The length of sessions and duration of the program will vary at each BGCA Center.
Program implementation costs vary because each BGCA Center determines its own costs.
To move the Healthy Habits program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact The Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Headquarters by mail 1275 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, phone 1-404-487-5700, or visit https://www.bgca.org/about-us/contact-us/
