What is HEALS? The Healthy Eating and Active LifeStyles program is designed to help Job Corps students learn to live healthy, active lives. HEALS provides structured learning, experiential, and fitness activities that promote lifelong health and physical well being. HEALS relies on the support and collaboration of all Job Corps departments—Food Service, Recreation, Health and Wellness, Residential Life, Academics, and Career Technical Training.

The Goals of HEALS The primary goal of HEALS is to improve each student’s health, nutrition, and fitness status while they are enrolled in Job Corps. The secondary goal of HEALS is to positively impact each student’s employability through instilling the importance of healthy habits that last a lifetime.

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1985 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1986 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1987 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1988 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1989 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1992 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1993 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1994 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1995 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1996 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1997 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1998 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1999 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2000 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2001 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2002 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2003 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2004 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30% Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2005 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2006 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2007 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2008 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2009 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Why is Obesity a Problem? Obesity has been on the rise in the United States for the past 20 years 1 Genetics, environmental factors, and individual behaviors all contribute to overweight and obesity Overweight and obese teens are especially at risk Adolescents who are obese suffer disproportionately from social and psychological problems such as bullying and poor self-esteem 2

Obesity and Overweight Studies have shown that not only are overweight and obese teens are at a disadvantage now, but also in the future Obese adolescents are more likely to: Be bullied 1 Suffer from low self-esteem 1 Become obese adults 2 Obese adults are: Paid less 3 Less productive at work 4 Absent from work more often 4

Top 10 Reasons to Promote Proper Diet and Exercise 1. Being active and eating can have a positive effect on students’ future job status and income! 1 2. Engaging in an active lifestyle improves attention span, focus and memory, and helps relieve tension Employees who are not overweight or obese have higher productivity and fewer work limitations than employees who are moderately to extremely obese Exercise helps mental and emotional health too! Young people who exercise experience less chronic stress than those who do not exercise. 3

5. Being active gives you energy, and activates your immune system. Exercise can ward off the flu Healthy foods can prevent disease! 6 7. Exercising reduces stress for Job Corps students by increasing endorphins, the “feel-good” chemical in the brain. 8. Exercising improves balance and coordination. 9. Regular exercise can also improve mood and self-esteem Healthy living today can result in a long and healthy future. Top 10 Reasons to Promote Proper Diet and Exercise (continued)

It’s Time for a Change

What can you do to help? A lot! First: Familiarize yourself with the program The program provides: A step-by-step guide for working with students of all shapes, sizes, and current health behaviors A guide to help recreation staff create a fun and motivating environment A website for food service staff to learn about nutrition, serving healthy food within budget, and tips on how to promote healthy choices

What will HEALS do for you? HEALS will provide guidance and materials A step-by-step guide A website for food service staff An evidence based curriculum A guide to help recreation staff Policy Requirements Handbook changes Guidelines and criteria Webinars and conference workshops Tips on how to promote healthy choices Guidance on how to measure BMI

Other Resources Webinars Quarterly campaigns Competitions

Questions about the program? Julie Luht at