Childhood Health

Increasing Physical Activity for Youth

To help increase the physical activity of young people, the Gwinnett Extension Service initiated a Jump Rope Challenge program within its Cloverleaf Council. 4-H members participated in classes that promoted good health habits and nutrition, and focused on increasing physical activity among youth. Members were provided a record sheet and asked to jump rope for miles; one minute of jumping rope is equivalent to walking one mile. The goal for each child was to jump 115 miles over a three-month period to earn points toward attending the yearly Cloverleaf Reward Trip, the distance from the 4-H Office to the reward trip location. Thirty-two 4-H'ers participated in the Jump Rope Challenge Project. At the end of the three-month period, 60 percent of the students "jumped" for 55 miles or more and 25 percent of the students "jumped" for 115 miles or more. (2006)

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