Childhood Obesity Target of Michigan Initiative
Childhood obesity in
Michigan faces a new foe: the FIT initiative. This new alliance calls
for “healthy eating coaches” and a “culture of nutrition.” Its first
battleground will be four Grand Rapids elementary schools.
Grand Rapids Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan has joined
forces with Michigan State University and Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan in a million-dollar health offensive against childhood
obesity. Its strategy: increase kids’ physical activity, improve their
nutrition, and enlist public schoolteachers, faculties, and parents in
the fight.
It’s called the FIT initiative, and the first battlefield will be a
group of four elementary schools in Grand Rapids – schools with known
obesity issues and surrounding neighborhoods.
The FIT team will link up with community organizations in the
neighborhoods surrounding the schools to accomplish a three-part
mission:
• increase access to safe and affordable physical activities,
• improve the affordability and availability of nutritious food, and
• increase knowledge, attitudes and behaviors associated with healthy living.
MSU’s contingent will consist of personnel from several different
fields, including the university’s Institute for Health Care Studies
and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. The team will
focus first on creating a “culture of nutrition” in the schools through
a coordinated program of nutrition education and guidance. “Healthy
eating coaches” will share meals with the kids, and hold sample
sessions to give the school kids a taste of healthy food.
The MSU team will also integrate a 30-minute program of structured
physical activity into each school day, including DVD-based exercise
and dancing. The goal is to help students meet the federal guideline of
60 minutes of exercise each day.
Partners in the program include the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids,
Grand Valley State University Johnson Center Community Research
Institute, Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, the Grand
Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and a wide spectrum of associations and
private businesses.
The program’s organizers hope that the FIT initiative will lead to
the creation of a sustainable and comprehensive population-based
approach to addressing the root causes of childhood obesity. If FIT
succeeds, it’s likely that similar programs will be established
elsewhere to duplicate that success.
posted by: IAH,on Aug 25, 17:29
Source: Weight Loss Surgery Channel
URL:
http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/breaking-wls-news/childhood-obesity-target-of-michigan-initiative.html