Childhood obesity is the fastest growing health crisis in America. Extra weight in youth can lead to a lifetime of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. The Youth in Motion section of the toolbox is designed to help communities implement programs for children that promote wellness through good nutrition and physical activity.
Following are capsule descriptions of the various programs presented in the Youth in Motion section of the toolbox:
Programs for Children with Disabilities
Children with disabilities are especially at risk from the diseases associated with obesity. Opportunities designed specifically for this population are essential to encourage activity and to help maintain good health.
Community-Based Approaches
These efforts highlight how physical activity can be incorporated into daily activities. Walking or bicycling to school is an excellent means to add movement seamlessly into a child’s day. Featured programs showcase ways to make walking and biking trips to school safer and more enjoyable.
School-Based Approaches
School can be the best place to introduce healthy habits to children. Lessons about the benefits of good nutrition and physical activity can be woven into all aspects of the school experience, not just in physical education or the cafeteria. Healthy lifestyle lessons are reinforced when incorporated into math, science and, even, language curricula.
After-School Programs
After-school programs can not only provide a safe place for children to play, but a place to learn and to move. The culturally sensitive programs highlighted here often serve low-income and minority populations, who are especially at high risk of obesity. In addition, these programs provide physical activity alternatives to those who do not enjoy traditional team sports.
Medical Community Approaches
Children cannot control the environment in which they live. Thus it is necessary to address health issues through the family. Families must make a commitment to healthy lifestyles because children cannot do it alone. The programs offered by the medical community are designed to educate and inform the entire family and to affect change though familial behavior. Additionally, the medical community uses the disease management model to treat obesity and obesity-related disease, making it possible for individuals to manage their own wellness regime.
Evaluating Youth Programs
Evaluation is the collection of data before a program begins and again once it is underway and/or finished to identify and quantify its effectiveness. All programs and initiatives designed to affect change benefit from review. Conducting evaluations is essential to creating effective wellness programs in your community.
Appendices
This section of the Mayors Wellness Toolbox provides two useful appendices – a description of the federally and state-mandated School Wellness Policies and a list of other initiatives (Supplemental Programs) that can help a community achieve its wellness goals.
