Oral

Innovative and targeted approaches are critical to improving nutrition among children and adults. Corner store initiatives, kitchen and garden based integration in schools, and the use of technology will be presented as successful strategies in the field. The nationally recognized School Lunch Initiative implemented as a public/private partnership between the Berkeley Unified School District, Chez Panisse Foundation and the Center for Ecoliteracy will be discussed along with The Food Trust and Temple University's integrated school-community-based social marketing program featuring Healthy School Snack Zones and a unique video approach obesity among the Deaf.

Session Objectives: * Describe methods including new technologies (i.e. video, digital photography) in strategies to enhance community based assessments, as well as in interventions and evaluations of school age populations in the prevention of obesity. * Describe how to determine the cultural appropriateness of targeted teaching tools used with special populations. * Discuss how collaborative community efforts were employed and their impact on change over time in the nutrition of elementary and middle school aged students in the school environment. * Explain an environmental based strategy for reducing barriers to healthy snacking in an urban setting.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)