National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference 2024

Abstract: Five for Five: 5 Minutes to Better Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps for 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories show the proportion of adults with body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 (≥30 kg/m2) based on self-reported weight and heights. In 2020 the U.S. overall rate of obesity was 41.9% (2022). New population data from CDCP in 2022 show 22 states have an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, compared to 19 states in 2021. Just ten years ago, no state had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35% (CDCP News Release, September 2023). Youth are also experiencing increased rates of overweight and obesity. America’s Health Rankings reports (2020-2021) that 27% of youth 10-17 being overweight or having obesity. Being obese and/or overweight is a major risk factor for heart disease, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and some cancers. These health issues are manageable and preventable if prevention measures are adopted.
Physical activity (PA) has proven to have a positive impact on overweight and obesity and chronic disease. New research from Columbia University Medical Center found blood sugars and blood pressure were significantly lowered by five minutes of walking every 30 minutes (May 2023). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, notes that only about 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 6 high school students fully meet PA guidelines (2018).
Communities need to call upon multiple strategies to improve the health of all. University of Idaho Extension’s “Five for Five” - 5 Minutes to Better Health curriculum goal is to increase the rate of PA for all ages through a broad spectrum of programming. Five for Five is designed to be offered in just “5” minutes moving through five components of PA: Mindfulness, Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Endurance and Bone-Strengthening, Muscular Strength, and Flexibility and Balance.
Five for Five is now practiced within school districts, virtual instruction, Extension programs, youth organizations, and afterschool programs. Over 366 adult participants have been shown how to offer Five for Five. Eighty-seven percent (n=116) indicated that they plan to implement Five for Five practice in the classroom. Thinking of their own health, 88% indicated that they would incorporate mindfulness and/or PA in their own daily work routine. These are strong indicators of action given only 52% had used PA in the classroom previously. Additional benefits of Five for Five include improving motivation and engagement in the learning process, and overall instruction.
During the session participants will learn how to use the curriculum, posters, PA activity cards and resistance bands. Presenters will share how to use this add-curriculum as a strategy for health and wellness to increase PA levels. Presenters will share how community partners, beyond Extension are using Five for Five.