171613 Implementing Project Healthy Schools (PHS) in a diverse, underserved student population: Lessons learned

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Jean E. DuRussel-Weston, RN MPH , MFit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Caren S. Goldberg, MD , Pediatrics and Communicable Disease and Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Bruce Rogers , MCORRP (Cardiology), University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
LaVaughn Palma-Davis, MA , MFit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Susan Aaronson, RD , MFit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Catherine Fitzgerald, RD , MFit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Marc Zimmerman, PhD , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Kim A. Eagle, MD , Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Lindsey Rose Mitchell, MPH , MFit, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Roopa Gurm, MS , MCORRP (Cardiology), University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
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.

Learning Objectives:
List the four necessary components needed for implementing Project Healthy Schools in a diverse student population. Identify at least three barriers to replicating Project Healthy Schools in a more diverse student population. Identify two successful strategies to educate parents in a diverse school population.

Keywords: Obesity, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the manager of the project, involved implementation and evaluation of the project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Discussion: Novel Approaches to Obesity Prevention
See more of: Public Health Education and Health Promotion