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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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Overweight and obesity influenced by physical inactivity and poor diet
are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, asthma, and arthritis. Overweight among U.S. children aged 6 to
11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years. Children and adolescents who
are overweight are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. About
30% of West Virginia’s population is overweight, putting the state among the
top three in the United States coping with this major health risk.
To address West Virginia’s high rate of overweight among children, the
state Coordinated School Health Program, supported by the CDC and Mountain
State Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), partnered to leverage funding to
improve the health of children in the state. BCBS helped support a
competitive grants process to fund physical activity and nutrition
activities in elementary schools between 2004 and 2007. The project aimed to
establish a solid foundation for good health habits that would extend into
adolescence and adulthood. The program, “Challenge for Healthier Schools,”
required schools to submit a plan for programs on physical activity or
nutrition education.
Annual grants of up to $5,000 were awarded to 13 elementary schools during the 3-year period, leveraging more than $140,000. Accomplishments include:
Building a trail to connect the school grounds to the Rails-to-Trails system, resulting in students using the Rails-to-Trails system during the school day for physical education, recess, and class outings.
Purchasing in-line skates and safety equipment for physical education class.
Overall, more than 2,200 students were exposed to physical activity and nutrition education events during the project period. Process evaluation indicated that the events were successful and well received by both parents and youth.
Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age help lay the
foundation for regular physical activity throughout life. Joint public and
private efforts underscore the collective benefits that can be attained
through innovative collaborations.
NOTE: Success stories, including background data and
outcomes, reflect information as reported by participating programs. Also,
in this context, impact refers to short-term or intermediate outcomes.
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Healthy Youth Home |
Contact Us Page last reviewed:
April 23, 2008
Division of Adolescent
and School Health
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