Implementing Project Healthy Schools (PHS) in a diverse, underserved student population: Lessons learned

In the last 30 years, the number of overweight children has almost tripled. Nearly 20% of American youth are overweight/obese, with minority and low-income children experiencing greater risk. Childhood overweight/obesity is associated with increased early-onset atherosclerosis, hypertension, and Type II Diabetes.

PHS is a community-university collaborative providing middle-school-based programming to reduce childhood obesity and its long-term health risks. Since 2004, PHS has worked to reverse this trend through education and changes in school environment and policies. PHS staff works with sixth-grade students creating fun, interactive activities emphasizing five simple goals: Eat more fruits/ vegetables; Make better beverage choices; Exercise at least 150 minutes each week; Eat less fast/fatty foods; Spend less TV /computer time. The program includes: 10 hands-on activities, motivational assemblies, incentives rewarding behavior change, cafeteria and policy changes, and communication campaigns.

Pre- and post-intervention data are collected from sixth-grade participants; follow-up data are collected at the end of seventh grade. Medical screenings include noninvasive measures (ht/wt, BMI, 3-minute step test, heart rate, blood pressure); a finger-stick provides full lipid profile and random glucose. Behavioral surveys measure nutritional choices and physical activity. Outcome data on two cohorts (N=852) show significant decreases in physiological measures (total/LDL cholesterol, random glucose). Surveys show participants increase both consumption of fruits and vegetables and time spent exercising.

In 2007 PHS expanded to a school district with a more racially/ethnically diverse and lower SES population (N=135). This session will provide comparisons in lessons learned in program delivery and screening/survey data between the two student populations.