CHAPEL HILL -- Sodium. Sugar. Vitamins. Saturated fat. Carbohydrates.

The components of a nutrition label are not usually of interest to a 12-year old, but after participating in a youth nutrition and exercise program for overweight teens, Alicia Rodriguez is full of information and enthusiasm for the topic.

Alicia participated in the Promoting Activities for Youth that Optimize Fun and Fitness program -- PAYOFF -- a partnership among many local agencies and headed by the Orange County office of N.C. Cooperative Extension.

"It was a really good experience seeing a lot of other kids going through what I'm going through," said Alicia, a seventh-grader at Smith Middle School. "It's kind of inspiring."

PAYOFF, which graduated its second class of students from the 10-week program last month, consisted of weekly nutrition classes and twice weekly activity sessions. In total, 38 students from area elementary, middle and high schools participated during the year.

Alice Pettitt, the county extension agent with family and consumer sciences, directed the program. She said the goal was to educate students about positive choices for long-term health.

"There are more and more people who are becoming overweight and developing risk factors for disease," said Pettitt. "We want to try to develop healthy behaviors."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nationwide 15 percent of children ages 6-19 are overweight. But the program was not just about the children. Parents were expected to come, too.

"In order to make changes, you've got to have the family involved as well as the youth," Pettitt said.

Shirley James, whose daughter Eden participated in PAYOFF, said the program helped her be more active with her kids.

"We started getting into hiking and checking out the trails around Chapel Hill," said James. "I don't think that would have happened without the program."

The program focused most on nutrition, physical activity and incorporating awareness of both into daily life.

"The exercising was fun," said Jackie Rodriguez, Alicia's mother. Alicia herself confirmed the evaluation with a giggle.

"I learned to make every little thing I do into exercise and moving," she said.

The program featured fun exercise ideas, such as commercial break exercise while watching TV and before bedtime house cleanups.

And mom said Alicia's eating habits have changed, too.

"It made her aware of what she's eating," said Jackie Rodriguez. "Now she'll go and look at the label for the portion size."

Alicia has been enjoying the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. Since starting the program, her high blood-pressure has started decreasing and she's been losing weight. And her mother said there's been another benefit as well -- Alicia's self-esteem has increased, too.

Pettitt agreed that the program has had a positive impact on the lives of the participants.

"All you had to do is look around the night we had the graduation ceremony and see the enthusiasm and see the camaraderie and see them talk about how much the program meant to them," she said.

The PAYOFF program, previously funded through a Chapel Hill community development grant, is currently seeking more funding to continue in the future. For information about the program, contact Pettitt at 245-2053.