Programs & Projects

Kearney, Nebraska: Signs of Progress Toward Reversing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

HPL UNK — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 11:38:46 -0400

http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/newsroom-content/2013/07/kearney-nebraska--signs-of-progress.html

Exercise video games get kids off the couch

HPL UNK — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:13:41 -0500

By Erica R. Hendry, USA TODAY

Boxing in the living room and dancing in the den have elevated home gaming - and children's heart rates - to new heights.

New research shows that exercise video games such as Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution boost children's activity levels significantly.

The Wii system, made by Nintendo, is controlled by a…

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise funds, awareness

HPL UNK — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:17:02 -0500

KEARNEY - We live here, we race here, we save lives here.

"That's exactly what we're trying to accomplish," said Sara Malzacher, co-chair for the second-annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The event, which benefits breast cancer research, will be Sept. 29 at the Health and Sports Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

"We want to…

Oatmeal gets Kenwood kids off to good start; goal is one every day for learning

HPL UNK — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:13:15 -0500

KEARNEY - Kenwood Elementary School students fueled up for play with an oatmeal breakfast Wednesday morning.

"We're encouraging kids to eat breakfast, especially a healthy breakfast, before they come to school each morning," said school nurse Julene Lesher. "A healthy breakfast starts their day off right, gets their body and their mind ready for…

Real people, real inspiration

HPL UNK — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:28:04 -0400

The family that exercises together thrives together. Jen McBride knows firsthand.

She, her husband and two of her kids enrolled in Building Healthy Families, a 12-week program that targets childhood obesity by involving mom, dad and siblings, too.

The McBrides, of Kearney, and 11 other families attended weekly meetings to set reachable goals…

Kids Fitness Day to teach students importance of nutrition, physical activity

HPL UNK — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:02:41 -0400

KEARNEY - The eighth-annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day will bring approximately 700 fourth-graders from area communities to the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus Sept. 16, according to Kate Heelan, event cofounder and director of the UNK Human Performance Laboratory.

Activities will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Foster Field,…

With help of grant, new programs, KPS seeing student obesity drop

HPL UNK — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:00:22 -0400

KEARNEY - Kearney Public Schools is seeing progress after giving schools healthy makeovers.

Over the last five years, KPS has seen a 13 percent decrease in student obesity.

"We've had some good progress and good results," said Physical Education Program grant coordinator Cari Franzen. "The district as a whole, I would say, has made some small…