Eat Smart Move More South Carolina and the Prevention Research Center at the University of South Carolina Columbia is teaming up to train community coalitions and state-level technical assistance providers on Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) training for churches. Participants will be able to train local church leaders on how to make healthy change happen in their church.
FAN is a physical activity and healthy eating program, previously found to be effective, that seeks to help churches create a healthy church environment that supports physical activity and healthy eating. More than 200 South Carolina churches of all denominations have participated in FAN, and we want to positively impact even more churches.
A one-day in-person FAN Train the Trainer training is being offered on Friday, March 15, 2019 to community coalitions from across the state. The training includes active breaks, a food demo and tasting, as well as a FAN-friendly lunch. FAN training is $25 per person. Congregational associations and other state-level technical assistance providers are invited to attend as well. Participants will leave prepared to train church committees in FAN.
FAN is a committee-based program where church members will work together to develop a plan that includes activities, opportunities, and guidelines to reach most members. As part of FAN training, church committees will be guided step-by-step through the planning process.
FAN is not an exercise program or a cooking class. Instead, the goal of FAN is to reach the entire congregation by creating a church environment where members regularly see and hear health messages and have healthier options available.
FAN encourages churches to increase physical activity and healthy eating among members using four key strategies:
• Increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating in the church setting (e.g. tasty, healthy meals & snacks for church events)
• Create healthy church guidelines and practices
• Keep the Pastor engaged and excited about FAN goals
• Get health messages out to church members through familiar channels (e.g., bulletin inserts, announcements, messages during worship service)
Registration will open soon!