Healthy Lifestyle Choices

The Healthy Lifestyle Choices (HLC) behavioral-health curriculum provides children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices. The once-weekly 45 minute program covers topics including life skills, conflict resolution, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, safety, and fitness. The lessons are presented by teachers as a part of their regular curriculum and have an introduction, activities, and a wrap-up. The lessons use hand-on activities, role playing, and non-traditional activities to encourage students to teach critical thinking skills and encourage students to participate. Lessons also include as an optional after-school or summer camp activity.

The goal of Healthy Lifestyle Choices is to improve children’s behavioral and health choices.

In a three-year evaluation of HLC, children who received the programming had significantly higher health knowledge than peers in a control group. Children who have participated in HLC programming have fewer behavioral problems in the classroom, eat more nutritious lunches, and play more safely. Most teachers (72%) observed changes in at least one student attributed to HLC, and 69% said HLC impacted the overall academic achievement of their students. Parents reported that children had improved eating habits (84%), were exercising more (69%), and were making safer choices in and around the home (71%).