Volume 18, Number 1, Fall 2007

JIFF Jumps on the Road

Michelle Lavra

“Jump into Foods and Fitness” (JIFF), a curriculum Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and the MSU Department of Kinesiology developed in 2003, has been adopted by the South Carolina Department of Education for use in elementary schools in the state’s 85 school districts. JIFF was chosen after a Clemson University study called “Examining School-Based Interventions for the Prevention of Obesity” evaluated three curricula, including programs from The University of Texas and the Harvard School of Public Health. JIFF was found to increase student knowledge and intent to change behavior regarding appropriate nutrition and physical activity. The hands-on health curriculum is made up of eight lessons which give youth the ability to make healthy nutrition and physical activity choices.

In June of 2005, South Carolina passed the Student Health and Fitness Act that mandates all K-5 students receive one lesson in nutrition and 90 minutes of physical activity per week. JIFF is one of the programs the SC Department of Education is using to implement the requirements of the new law. Trainers from MSUE have already conducted JIFF training in South Carolina for teachers and food service directors.

South Carolina is not the only state looking to JIFF for help improving youth health, fitness and nutrition. The curriculum, which was revised in 2006 to include the new USDA MyPyramid guidelines, is also being examined by Extension staff in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Indiana and Minnesota. JIFF will also be submitted for inclusion into the National 4-H Juried Curriculum collection the next time submissions are accepted, which would make it available to 4-H programs across the country.

In Michigan, JIFF is widely used by a variety of MSUE Family & Consumer Sciences programs and by 4-H programs in several counties. Currently, three counties in Michigan are benefiting from grant-funded JIFF programs. Benzie, Ingham and Calhoun counties now have teens serving as volunteers, teaching local youth about the importance of good nutrition and an active lifestyle.

Stephanie Cluley, program associate for Ingham County’s JIFF program, said that teens who volunteer benefit from the program as well.

“The teens really improve in their leadership skills,” Cluley said. “The confidence, teamwork and skills in learning to plan and think ahead will help them in their careers.”

Any organization or individual—from Michigan or any other state— may purchase the JIFF curriculum for $13.50 a copy through the MSU Bulletin office by going to www.msue.msu.edu and clicking on the “Publications” link. More information on JIFF may be found at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/jiff/.