The North Carolina Center for Health &
Wellness is currently focusing on the promotion of healthy living in three
groups: children, workers, and older adults. At the present time, we
are developing signature programs in each of these priority areas.
Family G.I.F.T. is an
innovative 6-week physical activity program for families concerned about
weight or fitness. Open to children ages 6-12 and their parents or
guardians, the program strives to help families attain a healthier lifestyle
by participating in fun, lively, and appealing activities.
GIFT meets on the UNC Asheville campus two times
per week in March
and April. The program is designed and facilitated by college students enrolled in an advanced elective course in Psychology and
Health and Wellness. Students gain career-relevant experience through
planning activities, leading sessions, and mentoring participating families.
Full-family
GIFT sessions include activities ranging from scavenger hunts and
parachute games to relay races and water activities. In some sessions,
parents, children, and youth are organized into separate groups in order to
introduce activities specifically geared to age levels. The goal of
all sessions is to encourage genuine enjoyment of active movement. To
keep GIFT momentum going outside of class, families are given weekly
"homework," e.g., flying a kite, taking a hike, or throwing a frisbee
together.
Two student "alums" of the class
have each undertaken evaluation of the GIFT
program as their undergraduate research projects. Liz Passman ’07 presented
her study, a followup of families enrolled in the inaugural GIFT class, at
UNCA’s Spring Symposium in March, 2007, and traveled to Raleigh to
display a poster of her work at the annual “Research in the Capitol” session
in April, 2007. Jessie Phillips '08 presented her research on the
effectiveness of the second GIFT program at the March, 2008, Southeastern
Psychological Association conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Both
studies showed that GIFT has helped families become more active and had a
meaningful, positive impact on their lives.
Active child care is offered for the youngest GIFT participants.
