(image: YEAH! logo)

1. Define the problem of overweight and obesity among youth in FL
2. Describe the Youth Empowered Ambassadors for Health (YEAH) program
3. Apply the Socio-Ecological Framework to YEAH
4. Explain the YEAH program using the Health Belief Model

• In 2005, 14.4 percent of high school students were at risk for overweight and an additional 10.9 percent are overweight YRBS).
• In 2005, more than 60 percent of high school students did not participate in any physical education at school (YRBS).
• In 2005, approximately 21.9 percent of Florida high school students ate 5 or more servings of fruits or vegetables each day during the past 7 days (YRBS).

• In 2005, 31.3 percent of middle school students did not go to physical education classes at all during an average school week (YPANS).
• In 2005, only 22.0 percent of middle school students reported eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (YPANS).

• 2004 Governor's Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic Recommendations
• 2005 Secretary's Summits on Obesity
• 2005 4-H Pilot workshop

• Target audience: Youth from statewide organizations (i.e. 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girl/Boy Scouts, etc.)
• Purpose: Empower youth to become advocates for healthy behaviors specifically focusing on healthy eating and increased physical activity.
• Activities: Youth will focus on personal, interpersonal and organizational strategies to impact healthy lifestyles.
• Strategies: Utilization of the Connect With Kids "Biggest Generation" DVD. www.connectwithkids.com/yeah

• A one and a half day Youth Ambassador Summit in Orlando was convened on June 2 and 3.
• Information was presented on physical activity and healthy nutrition recommendations, evidenced based interventions and best practice strategies.
• Leadership opportunity for youth from various established youth organizations to present on existing activities to support this effort.

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Kids Movement
• American Heart Association
• Connect with Kids
• Florida Coca-Cola
• Florida Dairy Council
• Florida Department of Education
• Florida On The Move
• Florida Prevention Research Center, University of South Florida
• IFAS, University of Florida, 4-H
• Special Olympics Florida
• Student Advocate
• University of Central Florida

(image: diagram outlining how overall health can be achieved by promoting an increase in physical activity and healthy nutrition in individuals as well as in organizational and interpersonal environments)

• Assumption one: the feeling that the negative health condition can be avoided
  • YEAH! participants believe obesity can be prevented
• Assumption two: by taking a recommended positive action, an individual can avoid a negative health condition
  • YEAH! participants are taught the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices to prevent obesity
• Assumption three: an individual believes he/she can smoothly and successfully take health action to prevent a negative health consequence
  • YEAH! participants are taught that their healthy lifestyle choices can easily fit into their lives and the lives of their peers and in the club setting

Concept	Definition	Application
Perceived Susceptibility	One's opinion of chances of getting a condition	Provided youth with current data from their age group on overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy nutrition.
Perceived Severity	One's opinion of how serious a condition and its consequences are	Youth led activity to demonstrate implications of increased portion sizes on caloric intake.
Perceived Benefits	One's belief in the efficacy of the advised action to reduce risk or seriousness of impact	Provided youth with evidenced based interventions and best practices to effect policy within their youth based organization.
Perceived Barriers	One's opinion of the tangible and psychological costs of the advised action	Team activities to address potential barriers of speaking to peers, family members and adult mentors about behavior and policy changes.
Cues to Action	Strategies to activate "readiness"	Expansion of web site to house resources and success stories of youth from around the state.
Self-Efficacy	Confidence in one's ability to take action	Provide initial training at the Summit and additional technical assistance.

• Six $1,000 mini-grants were awarded to participants that demonstrated potential in carrying out activities and strategies to support the YEAH message

(image: photo of Grant Presentation)

(image: video)

• We would like to say a special thank you to former Florida Department of Health Secretary Dr. John Agwunobi, whose belief in the power of youth advocacy shaped this initiative.
• We would also like to thank our primary youth based organization the Florida 4-H for their continued support and involvement.

For more information :

• Katie Rainka, YEAH Coordinator
  (850) 245-4330
  Katie_Rainka@doh.state.fl.us
  
  
• Visit:
  www.doh.state.fl.us/family/yeah
  http://www.connectwithkids.com/YEAH/