HLTH 200: Wellness Lifestyles
Credit Hours: (3) Two hours lecture, two hours physical activity per week with laboratory
assessment
Provides students with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves healthy and fit
for life. The lecture provides information on health knowledge. The assessment classes
introduce a variety of fitness skills, techniques, and assessments to help the individual
pursue and lifetime fitness. The two components are integrated to promote a commitment
to a wellness lifestyle.
Note(s): This course has been approved for Core Curriculum credit in Health and Wellness.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course is intended to develop knowledge and skills that will enable students
to keep themselves healthy and fit for life. This is accomplished by integrating the
areas of wellness assessment, fitness assessment, personal health education, and a
variety of physical fitness, sport and leisure skills. Lectures provide information
on stress management, chronic and acute diseases, substance abuse, fitness, nutrition,
and weight management.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
- 1. Health/wellness lectures
- The lecture portion of the course incorporates presentations and discussions to assist
students in analyzing their present and future health risks. Behavior projects/case
studies are used to encourage and guide students through the process of improving
health/wellness related behaviors.
- 2. Assessment labs
- Students also complete fitness assessments during the lab sessions.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
By the completion of this course students should be able to:
- Identify personal risk factors by interpreting evaluation data concerning their hereditary,
physiological, behavioral, environmental, cultural and fitness parameters that can
affect health, and wellness.
- Analyze how behavior, culture, environment and other factors influence their current,
and future health.
- Demonstrate knowledge of health-related fitness components such as cardiovascular
endurance, muscular strength & endurance, flexibility, and body composition (Virginia
Health and Physical Education Endorsement Competency 3.a).
- Demonstrate knowledge of skill-related physical fitness components such as agility,
balance, coordination, speed, and power (Virginia Health and Physical Education Endorsement
Competency 3.b).
- Explain the importance of energy balance and nutritional needs of the body to maintain
optimal health, and prevent chronic disease (VA SOL 3).
- Explain the importance of physical activity guidelines, types of physical activity
needed for energy balance, importance of physical activity, health-related components
of fitness, nutrition guidelines, meal planning, screen time, and sleep (VA SOL 5).
- Demonstrate understanding of fitness concepts, principles, strategies and individual
differences needed to participate and maintain a health-enhancing level of fitness.
- Explain the benefits of physical activity/dangers of physical inactivity, basic anatomy
and physiology, physiological responses to physical activity, components of health-related
fitness, training principles (overload, specificity, progression) and workout elements,
application of FITT principle, and factors that influence physical activity choices
(SHAPE 2.8.9).
- Explain physical fitness assessment (including self-assessment) and analysis.
- Acquire knowledge and skills necessary to identify and manage stress.
- Identify methods of prevention, identification, and treatment of chronic diseases
such as coronary heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- Describe the effects of specific substances on the body such as alcohol, tobacco products,
caffeine, and drugs (prescription, over the counter, and "street drugs").
- Describe types of infectious diseases and how they can be prevented.
- Apply information regarding positive lifestyle choices.
- Identify a behavioral goal to improve health.
- Reflect on progress toward a behavior goal.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures include, but are not limited to:
- Written assignments
- Test and quizzes
Other Course Information
None.
Review and Approval
September 2001 Reviewed Gib Darden
January 6, 2026