Knoxville High Schoolers to Benefit From Pilot Program

State and local officials launched an innovative pilot program in Knox County today to increase physical activity and nutritional knowledge while combating obesity among teens in grades 9 through 12. Tennessee Department of Health Regional Director Paula Campbell joined Knox County Schools officials for the local launch of GoTrybeTN.com, a Web-based interactive fitness and wellness site that delivers exercises in a fun, easy-to-use video format. Along with the fitness videos accessible via the Internet, students can get daily wellness information including tips on healthy food choices and motivational messages.

“Tennessee continues to seek and provide new tools to help people improve individual health,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “I hope this program will allow teens to develop good habits now that will stick with them into adulthood, resulting in improved quality of life and better health for all Tennesseans.”

With 90 minutes of physical activity per week for school children mandated by the Tennessee Legislature, state and local educators are coordinating efforts to provide teachers and students with resources to help make activity part of the school day utilizing a variety of ideas including technology. Governor Bredesen has led the way in pushing for improved physical health for all Tennesseans and has championed efforts to increase access to the Internet statewide.

“Providing innovative and creative approaches to achieve improved health and wellness is key to seeing positive progress in the health outcomes of our youth in the state,” said Health Commissioner Susan Cooper. “GoTrybeTN meets teens where they are and makes incorporating physical activity and good nutritional choices into their daily lives easier than ever.”

“A well rounded student must receive a top quality education of the mind and solid instruction in maintaining physical and mental health,” said Assistant Commissioner for Education Robert Greene. “The GoTrybe program is a unique way to engage students in learning these concepts while they get valuable exercise.”

Funded by a grant from the Center for Diabetes Prevention and Health Improvement, several Knox County Schools are the first of 17 school districts to receive access to GoTrybeTN.com. The school district’s educators and administrators will be the first in the state to have the opportunity to incorporate the program into the classroom as curriculum. Educators will have access to reporting tools and the ability to create their own classroom incentives.

GoTrybeTN.com delivers fitness videos, led by certified fitness instructors and developed by Olympic athlete trainers. The daily workouts are broken into warm up, cardio, strength and flexibility segments, and run for about 25 minutes. Trybers, referring to students who sign in to the Web site, may also choose to build their own workout, selecting from a list of individual favorites. The nutrition content, developed by registered dietitians, gives students information on healthy eating choices, while the wellness section gives them information about good, general health.

GoTrybeTN.com, which receives fresh content daily, invites students to join a specific group based on age and grade. Creating avatars, messaging classmates and earning points to be redeemed for online games and avatar upgrades provides kids with an online community where they can get and stay active while being reinforced through points and rewards.

GoTrybe Co-Founder Bill Joyner Ph.D. is excited about Tennessee students using active screen time ™ participation.  “We know that sedentary screen time is one of the leading causes of childhood obesity.  Using this website, students, teachers, and parents can use technology as a significant catalyst in adopting a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Joyner.