CCH School project

Starting this fall, the Chelsea Community Foundation will fund a two-year project of Chelsea Community Hospital and the Chelsea School District that will focus on preventing childhood obesity. The desired long-term effect of Move Forward! Healthy Choices for Kids and Families is to improve eating habits and levels of physical activity for 3^rd and 4^th grade students at Pierce Lake Elementary. This age group was selected based on their ability to self-monitor, the enthusiasm of key staff at Pierce Lake for this health concern, and the intent to expand the project to the higher-grade level school as the students advance.

Program strategies will include changes in classroom materials focused on nutrition and physical education. The materials and lessons will be aimed at enhancing the students interest in and knowledge of the importance of healthy eating behaviors and daily physical activity.

Beyond the classroom setting, program staff will work with parents to influence the eating and activity choices made by families. Students will be given assignments to work with their parents on planning meals using fruits and vegetables. Together, they will submit at least one recipe for a new school cookbook a book that will focus on cooking with fruits and vegetables as well as other healthy ingredients.

How successful these and other strategies are in achieving the programs objectives will be evaluated using several measurement tools, including tracking the students BMI scores in the fall and spring of each year. An Advisory Group made up of pediatricians, teachers, nutritionists, nurses and other community members is working with the project manager to plan and implement the strategies, and to evaluate the results.

Those involved with Move Forward! are excited about the possibilities provided through the funding.