Volume 1:
No. 2, April 2004
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: FEATURED
ABSTRACT FROM THE 18TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRONIC DISEASE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Healthy Weight in Schools:
Supporting Schools Through Partnerships
EC Haller, SC Oleksyk
Suggested citation for this article: Haller EC,
Oleksyk SC. Healthy weight in schools: supporting schools through
partnerships [abstract]. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2004 Apr [date
cited]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/
apr/03_0034i.htm.
PEER REVIEWED
In 2002, statewide consensus recommendations — The Role of Michigan
Schools in Promoting Healthy Weight — were developed under the leadership of
the state departments of education and public health. Thirty statewide
organizations participated in the consensus process. Many of these original
partners and additional new organizations are actively collaborating to
identify and implement initiatives to help schools implement the consensus
guidelines.
Five specific initiatives have evolved: 1) a development, printing, and distribution
plan for family education materials; 2) grants to schools to implement the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's SHI: School Health Index
self-assessment and planning tool and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Changing the Scene kit; 3) a Web site for easy access to
resources and assessment tools; 4) a statewide conference on healthy school
environments; and 5) leadership and development of resources for the
Michigan Action for Healthy Kids Coalition.
Preliminary evaluation results suggest that schools find these tools
useful in creating healthy school environments and promoting healthy weight.
Schools are struggling to address obesity during a time of limited resources.
It is imperative that states do everything possible to help them in their
efforts. Partnerships reduce duplication and produce innovative products and
tools.
Corresponding Author: Shannon Carney Oleksyk, MS, RD, Nutrition
Consultant,
Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Chronic Disease and
Injury Control/Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition & Physical Activity,
3423 N MLK Jr Blvd,
PO Box 30195, Lansing, MI 48909. Telephone: 517-335-9373. E-mail: carneys@michigan.gov.
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