Taking Wellness to the schools: Cleveland Clinic partners with an elementary school in Lakewood, Ohio to implement 5 to GO!

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing concern in Cuyahoga County and the entire state of Ohio which ranks 30th in the nation for overweight or obese children.

Purpose: To combat this growing epidemic, Cleveland Clinic has developed a school-based initiative designed to promote healthy eating, exercise, and self-esteem, through the 5 to GO! campaign. The campaign encourages youth to: eat five fruits and vegetables a day; consume four dairy products a day; give and receive three compliments a day; consume no more than two hours of screen time a day; engage in at least one hour of exercise a day; and consume zero sugar-sweetened drinks. The program will be launched at Harrison Elementary in Lakewood, Ohio and will reach 440 students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

Significance: As the second largest of Cleveland's suburbs with an exceptionally diverse population and commitment to obesity prevention, Lakewood is an ideal setting for this program.

Methodology: Engagement of officials within the city and school district as well as experts in nutrition, physical activity and pediatric psychology from Cleveland Clinic are essential to this project.

Findings/Results: The project will kick off in February 2010 with an evening activity for students and their families. Activities in March 2010 focus on healthy eating and in April 2010 on the importance of physical activity. The program culminates in May 2010 with a school-wide Track and Field Day.

Conclusions/Recommendations: Partnerships between health systems and school districts can result in programming that effectively reaches youth and their families.