 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
  |
Healthy Rural Communities Project Drs. Laura Payne and Kostas Alexandris are working on the Healthy Rural Communities Project that is funded by the State of Illinois Attorney General's Office and is administered through the Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project. The project will target youth (ages 6 to 13) and adults (50 and over) who live in rural communities with a population of approximately 7,500 residents or less. Communities who have participated in the Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project (IRRDP) will be invited to participate in the proposed project. The rational of the project is based on current statistics, which indicate that a significant proportion of Americans are sedentary, overweight, and as a result are at an increased risk of developing chronic illnesses and diseases. Research studies have proved that participation in physical activities can result in multiple physical, psychological and social benefits for the participants. Program Objectives: 1. To investigate the target population's current physical activity patterns, constraints to participation, and needs and preferences; 2. To develop a network of rural communities who will learn about health and share their knowledge by developing and implementing a wellness project in their own community; 3. To develop a core group of rural community leaders committed to enhancing the health and well-being in their local community; 4. To increase the ability of rural communities to improve the health of their residents; 5. To educate youth participants about the multiple benefits of physical activity and good nutrition. 6. To teach youth the skills required for participating in a wide variety
of enjoyable physical activities, and help them identify their talents
and interests.
|
 |
 |
|
|
©Diversity Research Laboratory |