Category: Blog Posts

Throughout my learning journey in strategies for active health, my understanding of what it means to create inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning environments has significantly evolved. Initially, I viewed health education as primarily focused on delivering information about fitness, nutrition, and well-being. However, I have come to realize that effective health education goes beyond content delivery, it requires fostering an environment where students feel empowered to take an active role in their health and well-being.

One of the key shifts in my perspective has been recognizing the difference between health and active health. Health is often viewed as a passive state, influenced by genetics, environment, and medical care. Active health, on the other hand, involves taking proactive steps to improve well-being through physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and mental health awareness. This realization has helped me appreciate the role educators and community leaders play in encouraging individuals to take charge of their health.

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Understanding Comprehensive School Health and Quality Daily Physical Education

A major takeaway from this course has been the importance of the Comprehensive School Health (CSH) model and Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) in shaping student well-being. CSH emphasizes four key pillars: social and physical environments, teaching and learning, partnerships and services, and school policies. This holistic approach ensures that health education is integrated into every aspect of school life, making health and well-being a priority beyond just physical education classes.

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QDPE reinforces the idea that students need structured, well-planned, and engaging physical education every day. The four key components of QDPE: daily instruction, well-planned lessons, high participation, and age-appropriate activities align with my belief that movement should be an integral part of every student’s daily routine. Understanding these frameworks has reinforced the necessity of advocating for quality health programs in schools.

Creating Inclusive and Engaging Learning Environments

Through this course, I have learned that fostering an inclusive learning environment means recognizing and addressing barriers to participation. For example, in physical education, traditional sports and activities may not always be accessible to every student. By incorporating adaptive games, modified exercises, and alternative assessment methods, educators can create an environment where all students can participate and succeed.

Engagement is another critical aspect of effective health education. Motivating students to take an interest in their well-being requires connecting lessons to their everyday lives. For instance, discussing nutrition in the context of meal planning or using fitness tracking technology to help students set personal health goals makes learning more relevant and impactful. Additionally, incorporating culturally diverse perspectives ensures that all students see their backgrounds and experiences reflected in the curriculum.

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Key Concept: The Five-Step Model for Active Health

One of the most valuable frameworks I have learned in this course is the Five-Step Model for Active Health. This model provides a structured approach to promoting physical activity and well-being, which can be applied in educational, community, and leadership settings. The five steps: Agree, Build, Clarify, Define, and Evaluate offer a roadmap for creating sustainable health initiatives.

This model stood out to me because it emphasizes the importance of assessment, collaboration, and continuous improvement. For example, the first step, Agree, involves evaluating the current level of physical activity within a school or community, identifying gaps, and understanding the needs of different populations. The Build phase focuses on engaging key stakeholders, such as teachers, parents, and community members, to create a shared vision for health promotion.The Clarify and Define steps involve setting clear goals and action plans, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective. Finally, Evaluate ensures that progress is measured and adjustments are made based on feedback and outcomes. This structured approach ensures that health initiatives are not just well-intentioned but also practical and impactful.

Applying Course Concepts to Future Teaching and Advocacy

This course has prepared me to integrate health competencies into future teaching practice and to advocate for well-being in school and community. I now recognize that an effective health curriculum is student-centered, meaning that lessons should be engaging, flexible, and relevant to students’ lives. By applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, I can create inclusive lesson plans that accommodate diverse learning styles and needs.

Additionally, I have gained a deeper understanding of the redesigned BC Physical and Health Education curriculum, which emphasizes core competencies such as communication, critical thinking, and personal/social responsibility. By aligning teaching with these competencies, I can help students develop the skills necessary for lifelong health and well-being.

Another key takeaway is the importance of physical literacy: motivation, confidence and physical competence. By promoting physical literacy in schools, I can help students develop a positive relationship with movement, increasing their likelihood of staying active throughout their lives.

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Final Reflections

Looking back, my learning journey in physical and health education has been transformative. I now see health education as more than just sharing knowledge, it is about inspiring and equipping individuals to take control of their well-being. Whether in a classroom, a community center, or a public health setting, I will carry these principles forward, striving to empower others to lead healthier, more active lives.

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Why Nutrition Matters for Active Living

Nutrition plays a crucial role in providing the necessary energy and nutrients for physical activity. Whether you’re a competitive athlete, doing weekend activities, or someone looking to maintain an active lifestyle, what you eat directly affects your performance and overall well-being. Proper nutrition ensures that the body has enough carbohydrates for energy, protein for muscle repair, and essential vitamins and minerals for optimal function. This is supported by the Better Health Channel, which emphasizes that a well-planned diet provides the necessary nutrients to enhance sporting performance and well-being.

Beyond the physical benefits, nutrition significantly impacts mental well-being. Aetna discusses how both the brain and gut can affect mood, emphasizing the importance of vital nutrients in supporting mental health.A well-balanced diet can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive function, all of which contribute to maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

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Why This Topic Matters to Our Group

When it comes to maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, nutrition is a fundamental pillar that often gets overlooked. For our Health Competency Seminar, our group has chosen to focus on nutrition and its impact on active living. This topic is especially relevant as it directly ties into key themes of Active Health

Physical literacy: Physical literacy refers to the knowledge and skills necessary to move efficiently and confidently. A well-balanced diet supports coordination, endurance, and strength, enabling individuals to engage in physical activities with greater ease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, individuals should consume a balanced diet consisting of about 60% carbohydrates, 20% protein, and 20% fat to optimize performance and maintain physical health. Teaching athletes and active individuals about proper nutrition empowers them to fuel their bodies correctly, leading to better performance and injury prevention.

Healthy and Active living: Maintaining an active lifestyle requires a diet that promotes long-term health. Whole foods rich in nutrients contribute to sustained energy levels, muscle recovery, and disease prevention. A well-planned diet tailored to different activity levels whether for professional athletes or recreational exercisers helps optimize fitness goals while reducing the risks of obesity, heart disease, and other health issues.

Mental well-being: The food we eat has a significant impact on our mental health. The gut-brain connection highlights how certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants, influence mood and cognitive function. A diet rich in whole foods can help reduce stress, improve focus, and prevent mental fatigue, ultimately supporting both physical and mental resilience.

By understanding how proper nutrition fuels the body, enhances performance, and supports brain health, our peers can make informed choices that contribute to a balanced and active lifestyle.

The Role of Nutrition in Physical and Health Education (PHE)

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Within PHE, students engage in various physical activities that demand proper fueling and recovery strategies. Whether participating in sports, recreational exercise, or daily movement, nutrition plays a critical role in sustaining energy levels, endurance, strength, and cognitive function. A well-balanced diet provides the body with:

• Carbohydrates for sustained energy and performance.
• Protein for muscle repair and recovery.
• Healthy fats for long-term energy and joint health.
• Vitamins and minerals to support immune function and overall well-being.
• Hydration to maintain optimal physical and cognitive function.

Beyond physical benefits, nutrition significantly impacts mental well-being, a key focus in PHE. Proper nutrient intake supports brain health, improves concentration, and helps manage stress, which in turn enhances motivation and engagement in physical activities

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Incorporating Cultural and Dietary Diversity

Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. Different cultures and dietary preferences offer various approaches to fueling an active lifestyle. For instance:

• Mediterranean diets, rich in whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, are known for supporting heart health and sustained energy.
• Plant-based diets provide essential nutrients through legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains while emphasizing sustainability.
• Traditional Asian diets, with balanced portions of rice, vegetables, and lean proteins, support long-term energy and digestive health.
• Indigenous diets, often high in natural, unprocessed foods, emphasize nutrient-dense staples such as fish, root vegetables, and berries.

By acknowledging different dietary patterns, we ensure our discussion is inclusive and applicable to a diverse audience, helping everyone find a nutritional approach that aligns with their cultural background and personal values.

Engaging Our Peers: A Hands-On Learning Experience

To ensure our seminar is both educational and interactive, we will incorporate some of these activities that encourage critical thinking and practical application. Our session may include:

• Myth vs. Fact Nutrition Quiz: This activity will debunk common misconceptions, such as whether protein is only for bodybuilders or if skipping meals leads to weight loss.
• Build Your Ideal Athlete’s Plate: Groups will create meal plans tailored to different activity levels, highlighting the importance of nutrient balance.
• Hydration Challenge: A fun and interactive way to stress the importance of staying hydrated for peak performance. We can do a demonstartion measuring out how much water a healthy individual should be drinking in a day.
• Group Discussion: Peers will share their experiences with nutrition and active living, exchanging tips and strategies for maintaining a healthy diet.

Balancing Education with Participation

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Our seminar aims to provide a balanced approach between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. By integrating informative content with engaging activities, we will ensure that our peers gain practical takeaways they can apply in their own lives.

Bridging Nutrition with PHE Goals

By aligning our seminar with the goals of Physical and Health Education, we emphasize that nutrition is not just about eating well it’s about fueling an active lifestyle and fostering long-term well-being. This discussion goes beyond food choices and explores how social, cultural, and behavioral factors influence eating habits and how these choices impact physical performance and mental health. We aim to raise aweness around brain and body health and how it is highly affted by the food we eat.

Looking Forward to an Interactive Learning Experience

We are excited to create a seminar that empowers students to make informed nutrition choices, leading to enhanced physical literacy, improved performance, and better overall health. As we prepare for this engaging session, we encourage our peers to reflect on their current nutrition habits. What small changes can you make to improve your energy levels, recovery, and overall well-being? Join us in discovering how proper nutrition can elevate your active lifestyle in meaningful ways!

What is UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework aimed at creating inclusive and accessible learning experiences by minimizing barriers and maximizing opportunities for all students. In health and physical education, the application of UDL ensures that learners of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles can engage with the curriculum effectively. We can incorporate the 3 principles of UDL- Representation, Action and Expression and Engagement into health education by emphasizing flexibility in teaching methods, materials, and assessments. Applying UDL into education will foster an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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The 3 Principles of UDL in Health Education

1. Multiple Means of Representation (The “What” of Learning)

This principle focuses on providing diverse ways for students to access and understand content. In health education, students come from various backgrounds and have different levels of prior knowledge, cognitive abilities, and language proficiencies. To accommodate this diversity, educators can use multiple forms of represenation such as:

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Forms of Representation

• The use of visual aids like diagrams and infographics to explain lessons and instructions, this targets the visual learners that may need to observe content to grasp it.
• Provide auditory explanations through podcasts or recorded lectures, this is a good tool for students with visual or processing impairments.
• Incorporate hands-on demonstrations and simulations working step by step for the hands on learners.
• Utilize digital resources, like interactive videos to enhance understanding.
• Apply text-to-speech tools and alternative formats to support diverse learning needs.

By incorporating multiple forms of representation the needs of each individual can be sufficiently meet for understanding and applying instructions/activities.

2. Multiple Means of Action and Expression (The “How” of Learning)

Students differ in the ways they navigate learning environments and demonstrate their understanding. UDL encourages offering varied methods of expression to ensure all students can showcase their knowledge. In physical education and health promotion, this can be implemented through:

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How to implement

• Allowing students to present their learning in multiple formats, such as written reports, oral presentations, or video demonstrations to give every student a fair chance to show their knowledge.
• Encouraging self-assessment and peer evaluations, help students develop critical thinking skills.
• Providing alternative assessment methods, such as quizzes, project-based assignments, or reflective journals, is useful for getting an accurate accessment of each students understanding considering every student showcases their learning in different ways.
• Implementing assistive technologies, such as speech-to-text software and adaptive tools for students with disabilities to make showcasing their abilities easier.

Since every individual has different ways of presenting their knowledge it is crucial to offer different ways of assessment.

3. Multiple Means of Engagement (The “Why” of Learning)

Motivating students and fostering a connection to the learning material is crucial for success. Health and physical education should be engaging and relevant to students’ lives. Some strategies to enhance engagement include:

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Strategies to Enhance Engagement

• Connecting lessons to real-world scenarios, such as discussing nutrition through meal planning or applying fitness principles to personal wellness goals.
• Allowing students to set personal health and fitness goals, fostering motivation and goal-directed learning.
• Incorporating culturally relevant and inclusive activities, ensuring that all students see their backgrounds and interests reflected in the curriculum.
• Offering choices in assignments and activities, allowing students to explore topics that resonate with them personally, this helps with keeping students engaged in activities.
• Encouraging collaborative and social learning environments to boost engagement and participation, by making learning fun students will be more interested in participating.

The Importance of Inclusive and Excessible learning with UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) creates inclusive and accessible learning experiences by ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities, have multiple ways to engage with, understand, and express their learning.Through the 3 principles of UDL we aim to promote flexibility by offering different ways to keep students motivated, such as providing choices in learning activities, fostering collaboration, and making content relevant to students interests. UDL also ensures that information is presented in diverse formats, including text, audio, video, and hands-on demonstrations so that students with different learning preferences or disabilities can access and understand the material successfully. Additionally, it allows students to demonstrate their understanding in various ways, such as writing, speaking, creating visual projects, or using assistive technologies. By integrating these principles, educators can proactively remove barriers to learning, creating a more suitable, supportive, and engaging educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

UDL Beyond the Classroom: Health Promotion and Community Settings

The principles of UDL extend beyond traditional education into broader health promotion and community wellness initiatives. By designing inclusive health programs, professionals can:

• Create accessible public health materials and activites that create a welcoming environment for all individuals by using awarness and empathy, multiple languages, and various media formats.
• Offer fitness environments with adaptive equipment and alternative exercises to accommodate individuals with varying physical abilities, this can be done at gyms and recreation sites such as playgrounds.
• Implement feedback systems to continually refine and improve health education efforts based on participant needs and experiences.
• Utilize UDL-informed strategies in designing digital health content to ensure accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.
• Provide learning opportunities within the community for the use of UDL, and representing the importance of diverse learning.

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Conclusion

Universal Design for Learning is a powerful framework that enhances accessibility and inclusivity in health education. By applying the principles of UDL—representation, expression, and engagement—educators and health professionals can create meaningful and effective learning experiences for all individuals. Whether in a classroom, a gym, or a community health program, UDL ensures that every learner has the opportunity to thrive and actively participate in their health and well-being. The integration of technology, alternative learning formats, and inclusive teaching strategies further strengthens the impact of UDL in health education and beyond.

A bit About the Author

Hi everyone my name is Hannah I am a third-year student studying psychology. I began my university career in 2021 which should make me a fourth-year student, however, I took some time away from school to go backpacking for four months around Australia and South-East Asia last year. I am very excited about this class because I haven’t had the opportunity to study some of these topics in Psychology. My goal is to be an occupational therapist working with children and I believe I will learn some great life skills from this class that can be applied to all domains of well-being. 

The Five-Step Model for Active Health: A Guide for Leaders

Promoting active health and well-being among youth is a vital aspect of leadership in health education. The Five-Step Model for Active Health provides a structured framework that can guide educators and community leaders in fostering sustainable physical activity and well-being. This blog explores how this model can be applied in leadership roles to address the growing concern of sedentary behaviour among youth while empowering a way to adopt healthier lifestyle choices.

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Applying the Five-Step Model For Active Health

The 5-step model for active health is an invaluable tool designed to help leaders in health education. Its Five components- Agree, Built, Clarify, Define and Evaluate- can guide efforts of promoting active living in youth.

Where To Start

To begin, it is important to address the current situation. The first step in The Five-Step Model is to evaluate the current status of active living within your school or community.

Step 1- Agree: Assessing Current Engagement

Current Situation:  Begin by understanding how much time students or community members are spending on physical activity versus sedentary activities. It is important to have a baseline so we can guide progress. Surveys and health screenings can provide a clear picture of current engagement levels. It is also worth knowing how much physical activity is recommended per day for youth, according to the World Health Organization children and adolescents aged 5-17 should have 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity.

Your role:  As a leader, it is part of your role to assess your contribution to health initiatives. Part of a leader’s role in active health is to promote physical activity through programs and personal involvement. This can take form in many ways such as supporting or creating active clubs, movement activities in classrooms, leisurely activities for the community or being an outlet for more options. There is always a way to participate in active health some individuals just need the information. 

Coworker Awareness: Consider whether your colleagues are aware of and engaged in active living concepts. Collaboration is crucial to driving change. 

Program Offerings: Review existing programs in your school or community and see if they meet the needs of the youth. Are there gaps for accessibility and inclusivity, active health should involve everyone! As the needs of youth are changing so should active health offerings. 

This step establishes a baseline and highlights areas for improvement, setting the stage for meaningful interventions.

Step 2- Build: Laying the foundation

Building a strong foundation involves rallying key stakeholders and creating a shared vision for active living.

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Share the vision: Clearly articulate your vision for an active living environment. As a leader, you should be prepared to share with others your ideas for active living. For example, imagine a school where students have daily opportunities to move, play and thrive. Research has shown that health and education play an important mutually beneficial role in youth, students do better in the classroom when they are participating in an active healthy lifestyle.

Identify key people: Engage teachers, parents, administrators and student leaders who can be a apart of active living initiatives. 

This stage is about inspiring and gaining support to create a culture of active living.

Step 3- Clarify: Establishing a Common Understanding

Clarifying the concept of active living ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

Understanding The Concept: Engage your community in discussions about what active living means. How do different individuals perceive its importance? Once everyone has a clear understanding of the goals, we can work together as a community. 

Communication Methods: As a leader the weight of communication mainly falls on your shoulders, using things like newsletters and staff meetings as well as informal conversations to spread awareness and discuss ideas is crucial. 

Vision statement: Develop a concise and inspiring vision statement, something that is easy to understand and gets the message across to all stakeholders. 

Active Mind, Active Bodies

Informing partners: Share your vision with everyone, including students, parents, and community members to build a unified commitment to active living. 

Establishing this common understanding creates a solid framework for action!

Step 4- Define: Setting Objectives and Plans

This step focuses on creating action with our goals and a clear roadmap for achieving them.

Goals: Identifying specific and measurable achievements is necessary for success.

Organizational Structure: Define roles and responsibilities for team members, who will be overseeing events, tracking the progress and communicating new ideas or updates. It is important to have a structure in movements so everyone knows their responsibility. 

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Action Plans: These are the detailed strategies you will be using such as introducing lunchtime walking clubs or afterschool programs. The specifics of ways to implement active living.

Setting priorities: Ranking goals is a great way to focus on initiatives, we wanna do what will generate the greatest change in the shortest time, so we can rank our goals based on their impact.

With objectives and plans in place, your team will have a clear path for moving forward.

Step 5- Evaluate: Reviewing and Learning

Regular evaluation ensures that initiatives remain effective and can be refined over time.

Objective Achievement: Assess whether goals have been met, for example, this could mean taking attendance at physical activity events and monitoring changes in student fitness levels. 

Assessment methods: There are many assessment methods that would be useful, surveys, observations and feedback from students and staff are great methods to start with.

Impact analysis: Analyze how these steps have affected the school. Has there been a positive change in youths’ active health? 

Lessons learned: Reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Did students learn valuable skills or develop a greater appreciation for active living?

Future objectives: Use insights from evaluations to refine goals and strategies for the next phase. 

This step ensures continuous improvement for long-term success.

Why is This All important?

Active living is important because it empowers educators and leaders to create sustainable, health-focused environments that prioritize physical activity and overall well-being for youth. By using a structured framework like the Five-Step Model for Active Health, leaders can systematically identify areas of improvement, rally support, and implement actionable plans.

Addressing sedentary behaviour and promoting active living is essential for combating the rising health challenges associated with inactivity.

Addressing Sedentary Behaviour in Youth

One critical challenge in promoting active living is combating sedentary behaviour. Excessive screen time and prolonged sitting are detrimental to the physical and mental health of youth.

Sedentary behaviour in youths has negative effects on physical health. Sedentary habits contribute to obesity, weak muscles and increased risk of chronic conditions. A lack of movement can lead to anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem.

Ways to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Youths

• Increase classroom physical activity
• Opportunity for physical activity during classtime
• Incorporate movement into routines
• Promote active transportation
• Design engaging activities
• Limit screen time
• Create a supportive environment 
• Create inclusive activities for everyone 

https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-education/media/pdfs/2019_04_25_Strategies-for-CPA_508tagged.pdf

Through collaboration, creativity, and commitment, we can empower youth to prioritize their health and well-being. Together, let’s take the steps needed to build a brighter, healthier future.

Sources

World Health Organization. (2020). Physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/337001/9789240014886-eng.pdf

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Promoting healthy active living in schools. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/child-infant-health/school-health.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Strategies for reducing sedentary behavior in schools. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-education/media/pdfs/2019_04_25_Strategies-for-CPA_508tagged.pdf

International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. (2011) A Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1479-5868-8-98