School-based obesity prevention: Tailoring existing models and materials to meet the needs of a Jewish Orthodox school system

An in-depth health survey was conducted in the most heavily concentrated Jewish community in Chicago through a collaborative effort of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Sinai Urban Health Institute. The findings were presented to local rabbis, social service providers, educators, lay leadership, and community members. These meetings revealed that childhood obesity was the issue of greatest concern and that a school-based prevention program was the best way to address this. Since the majority of individuals in this community are Orthodox Jews who have specific dietary rules, behavioral guidelines, and belief systems that differentiate them from other groups, interventions developed within public schools may not be appropriate or effective for them. Unfortunately, no previous studies that focused on obesity prevention for members of this group, or any other Jewish group, were found. Thus, there was a critical need for culturally appropriate health promotion materials and programs. Continuing the collaboration, a school-based intervention was developed to initiate major changes in two pilot schools. Based on national models, the pilot schools were required to form a health committee, evaluate existing health-related strengths and weaknesses, develop a school wellness policy, and implement interventions in five defined areas from the Coordinated School Health model. A rigorous evaluation, including BMI measurements, the School Health Index, and student, staff, and parent surveys, was conducted. It is believed that this initiative, which focused on changes at the individual, family, and societal level, will serve as a model to other ethnic communities across the country.