Published: Thursday, June 2, 2011 3:10 PM PDT

Sebastopol’s Patty James is back in town and ready to deliver what she promised fans when she took off in her RV last year to travel the country to interview youth from all walks of life about their health.

While on the road, the nutritionist, certified chef, speaker and cookbook author submitted the data as she gathered it to Sonoma State University, where it was analyzed and made into an 89-page report. James and her advisory committee have since used the report’s findings to create health programs for children ages 6 and up.

And now it’s time to get started.

Five more students (teenagers only this time around) are needed for the pilot programs beginning this month, as are underwriters to pay for associated costs.

Students are not charged to attend the health programs as DirectionFive feels that health education should not just be available to only those who can afford to pay for it, James said.

The DirectionFive Health programs debut June 10 at Santa Rosa’s Chop’s Teen Club and will continue throughout the month of July.

“I promise you the kids will have a blast. They will learn what kids locally and all across the country said they wanted to learn; from how our cells work to making pizza,” said James, DirectionFive Health founder and director. “They are going to learn a lot and it will affect their health in a positive way the rest of their lives,” she said, adding, “These programs are starting in Sonoma County, and will be based here, but DirectionFive is national in scope.”

After the pilot programs, DirectionFive Health will apply for grant money to help fund future programs, James said.

“These pilot programs are absolutely essential. We can’t obtain grant money until we do the pilot programs, and we have room for five more kids,” she said. “We also need money to fund the pilot programs for the binders of information they will receive, the aprons, the food for culinary, etc. Additionally we need kitchen equipment, gift cards to local grocery stores, and more.”

The DirectionFive program is made up of five components. The first course, or class, will teach participating youth about the connection between nutrition and disease; basic metabolism and requirements of nutrients; weight control issues; how to understand nutrition labels on packaged foods and so on.

The second course will focus on the mind-body connection. “The mind-body connection suggests that you can learn to use your thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical responses and change mind-sets that no longer serve you or don’t feel right for you,” James said. “It also suggests that your body’s physical reaction to various stressors can affect your thoughts. It’s a loop,” she said.

Hence, stress, sleep, and depression are all addressed in this program.

Students will also learn about the body and earth connection. As part of the body/earth program, students will learn about how their food choices affect the planet; how toxins affect their bodies and the earth; and the difference between local foods and food that has traveled to get to their plates, among other things.

Fitness also comes into play during this five course program.

“It’s one thing to say, ‘you need to exercise,’ but it’s another to know how exercise affects your body. When you understand what is happening in your body when you do exercise and understand how your body is affected by not exercising, movement becomes more important,” James said, summarizing what this segment is about.

Last, but not least: The culinary program, which lands students in the kitchen preparing meals and then some.

“In the culinary program all aspects of the five programs will be discussed as they learn to cook. Why are we using brown rice instead of white rice? How does the choice of a free-range egg affect the nutrients, therefore their bodies’ health, and the earth’s health? What about humane treatment of animals?” James said.

Sanitation and safety, knife selection, kitchen equipment are also addressed in the culinary program.

Most important, students will all learn how to make pizza, among other basic recipes.

“Pizza was by far the meal of choice for many kids,” James said.

The program dates are as follows: 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 and 24; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 6, 7, 8, 11,12,14,16 and 18. All classes will be held at Chop’s Teen Club, 509 Adams St., Santa Rosa.

For more information or to donate to the programs visit www.directionfive.org. Donations can also be sent to DirectionFive Health, P.O. Box 1915, Sebastopol, CA 95482.

Laura McCutcheon can be reached at laura@sonomawest.com.