Increasing Physical Activity Among New Mexicans

Whether you are an adult, adolescent or child, physical activity enhances your health, both physically and mentally. Physical activity is one of the best things a person can do for their health. Being physically active helps develop a more durable heart, veins, arteries, and muscles and also increases muscular strength and flexibility. Being physically active improves the functioning of the body, affects how much fat versus how much muscle a person has, and contributes to weight management. Increased physical activity has been associated with an increased life expectancy vis-a-vis decreasing risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Research has also shown that physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and improve mood and overall psychological well-being. Being inactive in preteen and teen years increases the probability of being inactive as an adult. So, these can be crucial years for developing a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

This program includes:

1. use of pedometers among adult New Mexicans. (Step log sheets can be downloaded from link at bottom of this web page; see "For Employees" section.)



2. For preschoolers, the use of a physical activity curriculum called Animal Trackers. For the pedometer physical activity program, county Extension agents who coordinate and facilitate programs such as ICAN and Kitchen Creations can invite participants of these programs to utilize pedometers to increase their walking activity. Pedometers, along with step log sheets, are utilized to track daily steps of program participants. County Extension agents can help facilitate the implementation of the Animal Trackers physical activity curriculum for preschoolers in their communities.



3. Club Fit: Club Fit is a physical activity program for elementary school aged children. We are currently at one location, but with goals to expand into other school sites. Club Fit is for the after school kids along with any other kid from the school that would like to join. There is a minimal fee to join for kids that are not enrolled in After School program. Children learn new recreational games to play while enhancing their motor skills and learning to play cooperative games. Specialized skills such as Dance, Martial Arts, and Jump Rope are also taught. DDR is also introduced as a video game option that incorporates physical activity. For families that cannot afford the fee we do offer scholarships so that no child is excluded from Club Fit.
   
   Current Location: Sonoma Ranch Elementary School (Las Cruces, NM)
   
   Contact for Club Fit program:
   
   Lourdes Olivas, Specialist
   New Mexico State University
   Cooperative Extension Service, MSC 3AE
   Box 30003
   Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003
   Phone: 505-646-5763; Fax: 505-646-1889
   Email: loumunoz@nmsu.edu



4. CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health): CATCH is an evidence-based coordinated school health program that teaches children to identify, practice and adopt healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. It results from the largest school-based health promotion study ever funded in the United States and included more than 5,100 students with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Three of the four states involved in the study have demographics similar to those of New Mexico. Continued research shows that CATCH produces lasting changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors. External funding for New Mexico CATCH is provided by the NM Department of Health and NM Public Education Department. For more information on New Mexico CATCH or to view the CATCH application go here .
   
   Current Locations: Bernalillo, Chavez, Cibola, Colfax, Curry, Dona Ana, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Quay, Union, Sandoval, San Miguel, Taos, Torrance
   
   Contact for the CATCH Program:
   
   K'Dawn Jackson
   Program Coordinator
   New Mexico State University
   Cooperative Extension Service, MSC 3AE
   Box 30003
   Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003
   Phone: 505-646-5087; Fax: 505-646-1889
   Email: kjackson@nmsu.edu
   
   
5. Fit Families: Fit Families is a pediatric referral program for overweight children and their parents. The goal of Fit Families is to teach overweight children and their parents' healthy eating habits, the importance of increased physical activity, promote a healthy self-esteem and goal setting. Approximately 180 families have completed the Fit Families program in Dona Ana County over the last four years. Program evaluation assessment of the program demonstrates generally favorable reviews by both the children and their parents with many participants requesting additional classes. We hope to continue to expand the Fit Families program and possibly reassess and revise the curriculum to better meet the needs of the community based on information from class evaluations and in-depth interviewing process of past class participant. This project is funded by the by the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and a Grant from General Mills.
   
   Current Location: Dona Ana County
   
   Contact for the Fit Families Program:
   
   K'Dawn Jackson
   Program Coordinator
   New Mexico State University
   Cooperative Extension Service, MSC 3AE
   Box 30003
   Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003
   Phone: 505-646-5087; Fax: 505-646-1889
   Email: kjackson@nmsu.edu

• Provider Referral Form for Fit Families
  

Related Extension Resources:

Extension How-To publications:

• I-101: Physical Activity and You (for Adults)
• I-103: Physical Activity and Kids (School Age): Information for Parents

County Programs

Physical activity:

For Employees

• Step Log Sheets
  4 & 8 week step log sheets (Spanish & English) for Pedometer program

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