Morningside College students recently partnered with the Sioux City Blue Zones Project to create a book that teaches children about Blue Zones principles that lead to longer, better lives.

Morningside College students recently partnered with the Sioux City Blue Zones Project to create a book that teaches children about Blue Zones principles that lead to longer, better lives.

“The earlier you start to make significant changes, the happier, healthier lifestyle you can lead,” said Denise Salem, community coordinator for the Sioux City Blue Zones Project.

To create the book, Morningside students consulted with teachers and young people and then transformed the Blue Zones principles into effective educational experiences for students. It is believed to be the first of its kind among the Blue Zones communities across the nation.

Copies of “Healthy Choices, Healthy Lives: Adding Blue Zones Principles Into Your Life” will be available in the libraries at Sioux City elementary and middle schools.

Students who worked on the book were Brayton Hagge of Fordyce, Neb.; Mattie Carstens of Le Mars, Iowa; Lindsey Smith of Glidden, Iowa; Alyssa Nehring of Humboldt, Iowa; and Christina Vázquez of Clive, Iowa.

“It’s really cool what the Blue Zones Project is trying to do in Sioux City, helping the community to become healthier and helping improve the well-being of its residents,” said Hagge, who graduated in May. “I thought it was really neat, and I wanted to be involved.”

Printing of the book was provided by Northwest Area Education Agency.

The Blue Zones Project is a community well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to environment, policy and social networks.