Childhood obesity: A super+ challenge yielding significant results

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years and was responsible for $14.1 billion in direct medical costs in 2009. In an effort to address this rising epidemic, the Highmark Foundation's School Challenge Grant program provided $650,000 in grants to 13 Pennsylvania schools. Of the 13 schools, 7 had rates of obesity and overweight above the state average of 33% and 7 served low-income children, populations disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic. Schools were selected based on successful implementation of an initial School Challenge Grant and were awarded up to $50,000 to make effective and sustainable changes in the school environment through infrastructure (n=6) and non-infrastructure (n=11) interventions. With technical assistance provided by Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness Center, schools increased physical activity and nutrition education in multiple ways, including activity curriculum in physical education classes; purchasing heart rate monitors and mountain bikes; retrofitting unused building space into fitness centers; implementing physical-activity based after-school programming; and building an outdoor fitness trail. Schools enhanced nutrition choices through incorporation of nutrition education into classrooms; salad bars in elementary school buildings; and implementing nutrition-based after-school programming. These 13 schools have positively impacted the nutrition and physical activity habits of more than 7,880 students spanning grades K-12 with one school doubling the amount of minutes each student spent doing physical activity. Although further research is needed to identify the impact of school-based changes to address pediatric obesity, evidence shows that physically active, well-nourished students learn more and do better in school.