USDA funded study by the University of Tennessee investigating the relationship between after-school activity and healthy lifestyle.
March 11, 2010-Cherry Hill, NJ-The University of Tennessee (UT) has selected Destination ImagiNation to provide custom curriculum as part of its USDA funded study to investigate how participation in after-school programs can promote healthy lifestyles choices.
The UT study will follow student teams for 20 weeks. Teams will participate in a custom program created by Destination ImagiNation that includes both academic and physical activities. The study will be conducted across schools, community organizations and youth focused centers in Tennessee to include a wide range of demographics and backgrounds.
“Destination ImagiNation is extremely proud to be selected to participate in this study. We have observed for some time that Destination ImagiNation participants lean toward making smarter choices in their diet and participate in more physical activities. Now we have an opportunity to test that across a larger.” said Rusty McCarty, COO and Creative Director of Destination ImagiNation.
The results of the study will be released in May 2011 and will include survey data of dietary and physical activity behavior at the beginning and conclusion of the program. The goal at the conclusion of the study is to show how programs like Destination ImagiNation can lead to healthier lifestyle choices in dietary and physical behaviors.
“Destination ImagiNation provides such a unique program that blends academic and physical activity seamlessly. Selecting them to write the curriculum was a logical decision,” said Carol Costello, PhD, project director of USDA study for the University of Tennessee. “We are excited to see the results of the study and look forward to help shape future programs that promote healthier lifestyle choices.”
In addition to providing custom curriculum for the UT study, Destination ImagiNation is also the content consultant for the National Dairy Council and NFL’s Fuel Up To Play 60, an endorsed program by First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign.
About Destination ImagiNation, Inc.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides two educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, we reach 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Destination ImagiNation, our core program, is an exhilarating educational program, offered primarily in after-school settings, in which students work in teams to solve mind-bending Challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. In our Destination ImagiNation 4-Life program, we design and implement cause-based programming for client organizations to reach target audiences in a powerful way. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with more than 1.3 million alumni and a global network of 35,000 volunteers. Visit http://www.IDODI.org for more information.
