Healthy Class of 2010: A University-Public School District Partnership to Address Adolescent Obesity

School-based interventions that focus on healthy eating, exercise, and cardiovascular risk reduction can significantly impact the adolescent obesity epidemic. However, insufficient attention has been paid to collaborating with schools that could implement and sustain these interventions after initial research has ended. We use participatory principles in a multi-year partnership between university researchers and a public school district to implement a health promotion campaign, The Healthy Class of 2010 (HC 2010). HC 2010 examines several obesity-related health behaviors including nutrition and physical activity. We highlight the role of our partners: Planning and Advisory Committee (school district representatives and university researchers); School Health Teams (teachers, staff, parents); and Peer Health Councils (students) as facilitators in developing, implementing, and continuing HC 2010. Participatory principles, including building on partners' strengths and resources, reciprocal learning, cultural humility, and long-term commitment, have allowed the project to continue for three years. Data supporting these principles are culled from HC 2010 documents and reports. Results indicate the school district is led by experienced administrators committed to addressing adolescent obesity. Our partners continue to inform us about culturally sensitive practices, effective implementation strategies, development of materials, overcoming barriers to achieve our goals, and obtaining individual school support. Finally, collaboration significantly enhanced development and implementation of HC 2010. Researchers and educators alike can benefit from the lessons on how to work together toward effective and sustainable health promotion programming.