Programs & Projects

Kearney, Nebraska: Signs of Progress Toward Reversing the Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Childhood obesity rates in Kearney, Neb., are on the decline—and making this community healthier has been a "village effort" according to Carol S. Renner, PhD, associate superintendant of Kearney Public Schools

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.
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 wireless remote that translates movements to its "Mii" caricature on screen. In Dance Dance Revolution, from video game maker Konami, players use their…

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.
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 teach our community about how to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer as well as how to be active in their health care by participating in…

Oatmeal gets Kenwood kids off to good start; goal is one every day for learning
KEARNEY — Kenwood Elementary School students fueled up for play with an oatmeal breakfast Wednesday morning.
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 learning."
The Oatmeal Breakfast Challenge is part of Fuel Up to Play 60, a collaboration between the National Dairy Council and the National…

Kearney family gets healthy together.
By Katy Healey
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
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 with a behavioral psychologist, learn about proper nutrition and exercise together.
The program is successful because it's a group effort, according to…

Kids Fitness Day to teach students importance of nutrition, physical activity
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.
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, Cushing Coliseum and the Health and Sports Center. When they arrive, students will be divided into two groups. One group will focus on physical activities…

Analysis finds fitness progress
Kearney Public Schools elementary students go through the salad bar during lunch. Many elementary schools have added salad bars, eliminated unhealthy snacks and implemented exercise programs to improve the health of students.
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 steps in introducing programming and strategies and policies to help provide for a healthier school environment."
Three years ago, KPS received a…
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