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Obesity has become an epidemic throughout the country over the past decade. Incidence of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other morbidities related to obesity is also increasing at an alarming rate. The percentage of young people who are overweight have doubled over the past 20 years. (WVDHHR, 2002) Nationally, promoting physical activity and healthy eating has become a priority, as well as creating environments that support these behaviors (CDC, 2002). Obviously youngsters need to understand the consequences of poor nutrition, tobacco usage and physical activity at an early age if they are to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The most logical place for youngsters to learn these important lessons is through a school-based health intervention. (CDC, 1997) Recent innovations in technology make it possible for schools to offer interesting, effective, and up-to-date learning experiences that are instructionally sound, and designed to rely less on a classroom teacher’s expertise, which is sometimes limited related to current health education standards.

The e-learning module Healthy Hearts has been designed to impact health behaviors related to proper nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco avoidance. It assists intermediate grade children (10 – 12 year olds) in acquiring the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that lead to wise decisions and healthy lifestyles. The interactive curriculum focuses on cardiovascular health while integrating concepts from other subject areas such as language arts, physical education, math, science, and technology as suggested in the fifth and sixth grades National Content Standards. Because the module is delivered via the Internet, as opposed to a traditional classroom, students are provided with a plethora of engaging and interactive learning experiences, regardless of their teacher's health training. They participate in interactive tasks, take quizzes that provide instant feedback, ask and obtain answers to questions from experts, and record and receive feedback about their daily physical activity and diet intake using an on-line form. They also are challenged to grapple with simulated situations related to resisting peer pressure as they respond, in writing, to real-life situations that every youngster encounters today. The Internet mode of delivery allows the module to be used in any classroom where computers with Internet capabilities are available, thereby providing youngsters with cutting edge, up-to-date information regardless of the physical location of the school or the background and enthusiasm of the teacher.