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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Timothy B. Cotts, MD¹, Caren S. Goldberg, MD², Bruce Rogers³, LaVaughn Palma -Davis, MA⁴, Jean E. DuRussel-Weston, RN MPH⁴, Susan Aaronson, RD⁴, and Kim A. Eagle, MD⁵. (1) Pediatrics and Communicable Disease, University of Michigan Health System, L1242 Women's 0204, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (2) Pediatrics and Communicable Disease and Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, F1310 MCHC 0204, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) MCORRP (Cardiology), University of Michigan Health System, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Domino's Farms Lobby A (rm 3201B), Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0736, (4) MFit, University of Michigan Health System, 2850 S. Industrial Suite 600 Box 6773, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-7100, 734-975-3047, jdurusse@umich.edu, (5) Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan Health System, 300 NIB 8B02 0477, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Over the past 3 decades the proportion of students classified as overweight has almost tripled. This trend has led to an increase in heart disease, hypertension and diabetes in adolescents. The goal of Project Healthy Schools, a community-university collaborative, is to improve overall and cardiovascular health of middle school students through a school-based obesity prevention program. PHS promotes healthy habits through behavioral and environmental change, emphasizing five simple goals: Eat more fruits and vegetables; Make better beverage choices; Exercise at least 150 minutes each week; Eat less fast and fatty foods; Spend less time in front of TV /computer. Students participate in ten interactive classroom activities emphasizing these goals. Cafeteria changes and a communication campaign promote environmental changes. Measures utilized are baseline and follow-up surveys of sixth-grade student eating habits and physical activity; student blog data; risk factor screening-height, weight, 3 minute step test, BMI, heart rate, BP, cholesterol panel, and random blood glucose. The intervention provides a school year of education, nutrition and fitness-related activities, and incentives to reward behavior-change achievements.

This session will describe pilot data results from school year 04-05 with one school, 88 students; and 05-06, three schools and 292 students. Pilot program results: mean (SD) total cholesterol values decreased from 169 (28) to 151 (24), (p<0.0001). Mean LDL cholesterol decreased from 90(23) to 74(21), 9p<0.0001). Random glucose decreased from 103(30) to 97.4(41) 9p=.0099). It is anticipated that data from 05-06 will further support these findings and verify effects in different schools.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1.Describe two techniques for building a successful community-university collaboration to prevent childhood obesity.
• Identify three environmental strategies that support a healthy school enviroment to prevent childhood obesity.
• List the five goals of Project Healthy Schools and one strategy to reach each of the five goals.

Keywords: Obesity, Prevention

Related Web page: www.projecthealthyschools.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.pdf format, 13697.1 kb)