Crunch Out Knox County teaches 4th grade students in Knox County Schools about making healthy food choices and getting physical activity every day. Information about 5-2-1-0 is shared and reviewed throughout the six-week fall program. Healthy nutrition and physical activity are believed to be the two most important contributors in stopping the recent increase in childhood obesity across the country. Local statistics reveal that almost one-third of Knox County children are overweight or obese. This is not a weight-loss program, it is a nutrition and physical education wellness program. Education and practice are the best way to create healthy habits. That's what Crunch Out provides for Knox County's students! Crunch Out Knox County provides information and tools to help our children create and maintain healthy habits to support life-long wellness.
The six-week program is held in the Fall during physical education class. Students learn how to use an exercise ball as a fitness tool and practice different ball exercises. Students receive their own exercise ball to take home and keep and are encouraged to share program information with their family. Research shows that families have the biggest influence on their child's health habits. Not only do we want the kids to move more, but we also want to get families involved and moving. By having an exercise ball at home, we hope that the students and family will use it and create new healthy habits together! A training guide - My Everyday Guide to Living Healthy - offers different ball exercises and tips about healthy eating and portion sizes. Students record their nutrition and physical activity in Journals and earn prizes for completing weekly journals and actively participating in gym class. At the end of the program, students complete an essay - "How I Am Living Healthy!" Winners are selected from each classroom and school. The announcement of the 2021 essay winners and overall Knox County winning essay are available online.
Photos from each of our Knox County Elementary schools who participated in the Fall 2018 Crunch Out program were shared online.
Danville Elementary; School Saint Vincent de Paul School; Columbia Elementary School; East Knox Elementary School; Pleasant Street Elementary School; Centerburg Elementary School; Wiggin Street Elementary School; Twin Oak Elementary School; East Elementary School; Fredericktown Elementary School; Dan Emmett Elementary School
An Evaluation of the Crunch Out Program was completed in Spring Semester of 2016 and again in Spring Semester of 2018 by Kenyon College students to help United Way and Crunch Out Partners strengthen the program. Check out a short video about their involvement! The 2016 Kenyon Evaluation and 2018 Kenyon Evaluation reports are also available for review.
Follow this link to pledge your support to Crunch Out Knox County!
Discover more information about healthy nutrition and physical activity at gethealthyknox.org.
Quotes From 2017 Crunch Out participants
“This program has inspired me to eat more healthy and be mindful of my health. I will keep this going by exercising more, eating healthier, and using my exercise ball.” Marina, Twin Oak
“Thank you for coming to our school. It was so fun. I can help my sister learn how to be healthy too.” Haley, Twin Oak
“Crunch Out Obesity really helped my health because I love working out on my ball… I was so excited when I got the ball. This is one of the BEST times in my life!” Galen, St. Vincent
“The 5-2-1-0 program makes me feel like I can do anything.” Mya, Fredericktown
“5-2-1-0 and exercises make me healthier in a lot of ways and I can’t imagine how I can live without them.” Timmy, Fredericktown
“This program has changed my life. It makes exercise fun for me.” Bobby, East
“[Crunch Out] helped me to set healthy goals and has taught me how to achieve them. It has also helped me to show others how to have fun exercising and staying healthy.” Julia, Dan Emmett
“5-2-1-0 is making me and my family healthier and it will make you healthier too.” Angelina, Centerburg
“I am more energized and well-rested. I can focus better and do better in school.” Charles, Centerburg
Thank you to our Crunch Out Partners!
Get Healthy Knox County
YMCA of Mount Vernon
Knox Public Health
Knox County Foundation