CLINTON — In a technological age, when kids get less and less exercise, childhood obesity and diabetes are at historically high levels in the U.S. But an Illinois 4-H program is aiming at getting kids active and teaching them how to live healthy lives.

The University of Illinois Extension developed Health Jam with help of a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The National 4-H Council divided the grant among 15 states. Illinois received $50,000 to extend the Health Jam program.

On January 12 and 13, 5th and 6th grade students from DeWitt and Macon Counties participated in one of the “jams.” Youth participated in a two-day camp and an eight-week followup.

Teams exercise 30 minutes a day for a weekly total of 210 minutes. The teams log their exercise times and convert their times into number of miles walked.

For the complete article see the 01-29-2010 issue.

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