256391 Project Healthy Schools: Collaboration to promote longterm health and wellness for youth

Monday, October 29, 2012

Jean DuRussel-Weston, RN MPH CHES , MHealthy-Project Healthy Schools, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Lindsey Rose Mitchell, MPH , MHealthy, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Susan Aaronson, RD , MHealthy, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Catherine Fitzgerald, RD , MHealthy, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
LaVaughn M. Palma-Davis, MA , Health & Well-Being Services, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Caren S. Goldberg, MD , Pediatrics and Communicable Disease and Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
Roopa Gurm, MS , MCORRP (Cardiology), University of Michigan Health System, 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
In an effort to curb the childhood obesity crisis, Project Healthy Schools (PHS) Community-University of Michigan collaborative was formed in 2004 to provide middle school-based programming reducing childhood obesity and long-term CVD health risks. To date, 21 schools /13,612 students have participated in PHS activities, more than 2300 of these in research. PHS uses an ecological framework to implement education and promote change in school environment/policies and to engage community support for program support and sustainability. PHS interventions are based on five goals: Eat more fruits/ vegetables; Make better beverage choices; Exercise at least 150 min/week; Eat less fast/fatty foods; Spend less TV /computer time. Components include 10 hands-on activities; motivational assemblies; incentives rewarding behavior change; cafeteria/policy changes; communication campaigns; Farm-to-School and community outreach. Outcome measures: height/weight (BMI), 3-minute step test, resting heart rate, blood pressure, lipid profile, random glucose and behavioral survey reveal significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and healthy behaviors at 4 year follow up and across diverse populations. A model for program replication and sustainability has been developed which includes identifying a school wellness champion, partnering with community organizations to increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating and securing continued funding from hospitals and health systems. So far, health systems' partnerships have enabled program expansion to an additional 8 schools in three counties. Through collaboration, PHS is demonstrating that an effective behavior change program for youth can be replicated in diverse populations and communities with the support of local resources for expansion and sustainability.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1.) Describe the three primary components of the PHS program expansion and sustainability model. 2). Outline the five goals of Project Healthy Schools and at least one strategy that can be used to reach each of the five goals. 3). Identify three environmental strategies that support a healthy school environment to prevent childhood obesity

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the manager of PHS since it's inception in 2004 and involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of the program. I have written and presented several abstracts about PHS and we have published several articles. I have over 30 years experience working in public health nursing and health promotion and health education.
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.