As a physical education teacher at Hebron High School in Carrollton, TX, I developed a Health and Wellness Club for our ninth-grade campus as an initiative to reduce obesity and related comorbidities that are associated with sedentary lifestyles and a lack of physical activity.
The goal of the club was to educate students on the importance of physical activity and provide them with resources that would empower them to take ownership of their health and physical activity habits.
Creating the Health and Wellness Club
I began the club by seeking administrative support from our assistant principal and creating a presentation outlining the club’s objectives, activities and meeting times. This presentation was shared with students during our daily 30-minute advisory period.
During my planning process prior to our first session, I used multiple resources from the Move Your Way® campaign, which was created by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to promote the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. I was even able to brainstorm ideas on a Zoom call with ODPHP staff.
Given Hebron’s diverse population, I wanted resources that were available in both English and Spanish, and the Move Your Way materials include excellent infographics in both languages.
Health and Wellness Club Details
Hebron’s Health and Wellness Club started with 35 students but grew to over 60 by the end of the school year! Since the club was implemented exclusively at the ninth-grade campus, participants included boys and girls ages 14-15.
We met every other week for 30 minutes during advisory time. Each session was structured so the first half focused on fun educational activities centered around the recommended guidelines for physical activity and nutrition, while the second half allowed for free play, including Spike Ball, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
Considering the age range of these students, it was very important to keep them engaged and involved so I made sure that the first half of each club session was fun and engaging, while still educating students on the importance of physical activity, exercise and proper nutrition habits. Activities during the first half included short lessons on the recommended guidelines, goal-setting exercises, discussions on how to incorporate more physical activity into daily routines, group competitions on the guidelines, and baseline and follow-up assessments.
School-Wide Focus on Health and Wellness
We also introduced a school-wide Health and Wellness Week, which promoted health and wellness throughout the ninth-grade campus as well as the main campus (grades 10-12), engaging faculty, staff and students.
Here are some details from that week:
- The principal made morning announcements sharing health and wellness statistics and tips for incorporating more physical activity into daily life;
- We had themed dress-up days for students and staff;
- The Hebron Student Council created flyers and posters to promote each day’s activities;
- Move Your Way infographics were included in the weekly parent newsletter;
- I sent an email to all staff members with infographics on overcoming barriers to physical activity, with a link to the Move Your Way activity planner.
- We also encouraged students to create a teen Move Your Way video to show how they like to get active! Students who submitted a video were entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card that was donated by a local sporting goods store.
Positive Impact of Our Health and Wellness Club
Implementing this club was not only enjoyable but also yielded numerous positive benefits! At the last Health and Wellness Club session, I administered a follow-up survey to assess any health behavior changes since students joined the club. The results were promising:
- 63.2% of students increased their moderate- to high-intensity physical activity.
- 87.5% learned about the U.S. recommended guidelines for physical activity.
- 67.5% reported that physical activity and exercise have become more important to them.
- 50% shared facts and information from the club with their parents.
- 89.7% felt confident that they would continue to get adequate exercise throughout high school, college, and into adulthood.
Overall, the Health and Wellness Club not only fostered a culture of physical activity among students but also equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to prioritize their health, setting a positive precedent for their future well-being.
Tips for Starting a Health and Wellness Club in Your School
For any health and physical education (HPE) teachers interested in starting their own Health and Wellness Club, I highly recommend utilizing the Move Your Way resources available on the Move Your Way website. These infographics cater to various audiences, including children, parents and pregnant women, and are available in both English and Spanish to address linguistic barriers.
Also, securing support from other organizations and administration is crucial. Our administration was very supportive of the club’s implementation and encouraged faculty and staff to participate in each dress-up day. And, our Student Council played a significant role in promoting Health and Wellness Week by creating posters and producing a Move Your Way teen video.
To get in touch with staff from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), select “Move Your Way®” on ODPHP’s Contact Us form.
Additional Resources
- Move Your Way® Toolkit for Schools
- Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: Opportunities and Access for All [SHAPE America Position Statement]
- 5 Simple Ways Principals Can Prioritize Health and Wellness This School Year
Kelsey Ramirez
Kelsey Ramirez earned her B.S. in kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in May 2021 and recently completed her Master of Public Health degree, specializing in rural and underserved populations, from Oklahoma State University in December 2023. Now in her third year of teaching, Kelsey has worked as a high school physical education teacher, track and cross-country coach, and science teacher.
