Teaching 2-Healthy living Objective n. 1: Increase the ability of youth, adults and families to make informed, science-based decisions that prevent chronic disease and maintain a healthy weight status through physical activity and dietary intake of nutrient-dense foods. Objective no. 2: Transform West Virginia's youth into responsible leaders of their state, country, and world. Preparation Nationally, the health of our citizens is abysmally poor compared to previous generations with the health of West Virginians among the lowest in the nation. According to recent data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2010, WV ranked sixth in the nation for obesity and first in the nation for diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. This health crisis isn't just affecting adults. Lifestyle habits that affect our health begin when we are very young. The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that 17% of West Virginia students did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, and 76% did not participate in physical activities. education lessons in school, and 31% watched television for three or more hours a day on an average school day. Field research shows that physical activity improves academic performance and reduces disciplinary problems. According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education NASPE, the benefits of daily physical activity include: reduced risk of overweight, diabetes and other chronic diseases, children feeling better about themselves, reduced risk of depression and the effects of stress, and helps prepare children to be more productive and healthy members of society and improve their overall quality of life. The depressed economy coupled with many iso geographic areas...... center of paper ......lub officials to assist in the integration of health education at the club level. The continuation of the middle school cooking club provides two hours a month for youth to learn how to use kitchen equipment, prepare healthy meals and learn about nutrition. Additionally, I serve as a resource and trainer as needed for the Choose to Change program. Other staff or organizations assisting with this initiative include: Joan Baldwin, NOI Donna Patton, Extension Specialist Bennett Anderson, NOI Rachel Fraley, Cabell County Trainer Letha Mills, UPA Tamera Gray, Choose to Change Coordinator Collaborators and Funding Sources The Council National 4-H provided a $75,000 Health Rocks!® grant for 18 monthsChoose to modify funding for the middle school cooking club.Family Nutrition ProgramKanawha County SchoolsBlack Diamond Girl Scout Council