FUN 5

Hawaii Medical Service Association

Purpose:

To promote physical activity and nutrition in the After-school Plus (A+) program and encourage children to develop lifelong commitment to physical activity and healthy dietary habits

Target Population:

Children in elementary school

Program Goals:

• To encourage kids to exercise five days per week and eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day
• To help kids form positive ideas about healthy lifestyle habits

Years in Operation:

2003 – present

Results:

Fun 5 has increased active time during the A+ program by 140 percent (from 13 to 31 minutes during an average A+ day) and significantly increased the frequency of moderate physical activity during leisure time (from 3.1 days per week to 3.6 days per week outside of school or A+). Due to the pilot’s success, Fun 5 now is offered for statewide dissemination. Seventy-two sites were trained (more than 9,000 students) in the first dissemination semester (Fall 2004), with planned RE-AIM evaluation. (RE-AIM evaluation is a behavioral health research tool that measures the translatability and public health impact of initiatives such as Fun 5.) Currently 12 of the 13 pilot sites continue implementation.

Funding:

Funding for Fun 5 is provided by in-kind donations in conjunction with support from the Hawaii Medical Service Association (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii) and the Departments of Health and Education.

Key Partners:

Hawaii State Department of Education; Hawaii Medical Service Association (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii); University of Hawaii; Trimoving LLC; Mililani Wal-Mart; IcePlace/Stadium Partners; Action for Healthy Kids; Jan Inc.; Curves for Women – Manoa

What Works and Why:

Educators find Fun 5 successful because it is comprehensive and covers the necessary health, nutrition and physical activity information in a child-friendly manner. The program also engages adult educators, and, as one site director noted, when adult leaders are having fun the kids have a better time. Fun 5 also works because it can be used easily by educators who do not have previous training in physical education.

Structure and Operations:

Fun 5 is designed for elementary school kids and can be incorporated into the A+ program or elementary school lessons. Components of the program include:

• Training workshops and follow-up by certified trainers
• Ready-to-use activities and lesson plans
• SPARK (Sports, Play & Active Recreation for Kids) activities
• Kid-friendly sports equipment
• Sessions for staff to share ideas and offer support
• Evaluations to document success

Barriers to Success:

None noted.

More Information:

http://www.hmsa.com/community/healthyliving/fun5/default.aspx

Download:

Download this program information in PDF format.