Fun 5
Obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate, affecting children and adults in
Hawaii and the nation. Approximately 26 percent of Hawaii’s children and adolescents
are obese – double the national rate – according to a University of
Hawaii Department of Kinesiology & Leisure Science study funded by the HMSA
Foundation.
Overweight kids have a 70 percent chance of become overweight or obese as adults. And
they are at increased risk of developing heart disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes,
and depression in adulthood.
Forming healthy habits early in life may help kids avoid the long-term health problems
associated with obesity. HMSA has partnered with the Hawaii Department of
Education and the University of Hawaii to develop Fun 5, a physical activity and nutrition
program for kids.
Fun 5 is designed for elementary school kids at all skill levels and is easily incorporated
into the Afterschool Plus (A+) program or elementary school classes.
Fun 5:
- Encourages kids to exercise five days a week and eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Is designed to be fun to help kids form positive ideas about healthy lifestyle habits.
- Is noncompetitive, so that all participants can enjoy their success.
Fun 5 components include:
- Training workshops and follow-up by certified trainers.
- Ready-to-use, easy-to-implement activities and lesson plans.
- SPARK (Sports, Play & Active Recreation for Kids) activities developed by San Diego State University.
- Colorful, kid-friendly sports equipment.
- Booster sessions for staff to share ideas and offer support.
- Ongoing evaluations to document success.
In 2003, Fun 5 was piloted in 13 A+ programs on Oahu and implemented at six
Hawaii elementary schools. By 2007, over 150 A+ program sites (80 percent of all A+ sites) were
using Fun 5 as part of their after-school curriculum. Fun 5 currently reaches approximately
21,000 students and has resulted in significant increases in their physical activity levels.
Together, we can help children adopt healthy, active lifestyles for life. Your support is
needed to help share the costs of training, equipment and curriculum binders. To help ensure
that successive classes of school kids get the opportunity to embrace the Fun 5 active
lifestyle model, please make a donation to Fun 5.
For More Information
Please contact:
Dr. Claudio Nigg
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Hawaii
Phone: (808) 956-2862 on Oahu
Email: cnigg@hawaii.edu
Fun 5, a community partnership dedicated to help Hawaii’s keiki be healthy today
for a healthier tomorrow.