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The Balance Project: Bringing Healthy Eating and Active Living to Children’s Environments

The Balance Project: Bringing Healthy Eating and Active Living to Children’s Environments . Grantees Conference Call November 1, 2007. Children in Balance Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Tufts University . Social Ecological Model.

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The Balance Project: Bringing Healthy Eating and Active Living to Children’s Environments

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  1. The Balance Project: Bringing Healthy Eating and Active Living to Children’s Environments Grantees Conference Call November 1, 2007 Children in Balance Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy Tufts University

  2. Social Ecological Model

  3. An Environmental Change Intervention to Prevent Obesity

  4. Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard. • A community-based environmental approach to prevent childhood obesity • 2,281 1st – 3rd grade culturally and ethnically diverse children from Somerville and two control communities were recruited into a 2 year research trial • Goal: Transform a community and direct social change at the national level

  5. Multi-level Intervention • Community • Community Council • Local Champions • Walking /Pedestrian Trainings • City Employee Wellness Campaign • Farmers Market • Physician and Nurse Training • Approved Restaurants • Policy Development • Annual 5 K Family Fitness Fair • Media Placement • Before School • Breakfast Program • Walk to School Campaign • School • School Food Service • Classroom Curriculum • Enhanced Recess • Policy Development • After School • After School Curriculum • Home • Parent Outreach and Education • Family Events • Parent Nutrition Forums

  6. City-Wide Involvement • Engaged 90 teachers in 100% of 1-3 grade classrooms (N=81) • Participated in or conducted 100 community events and 4 parent forums • Trained 50 medical professionals • Recruited 21 restaurants • Reached 811 families through 9 parent newsletters, and 353 community partners through 6 community newsletters  • Reached over 20,000 through a monthly media piece (11 months) • Recruited all 14 after-school programs • Developed community-wide policies to promote and sustain change

  7. Results: We effectively decreased BMI z-score in a group of high risk children through a community-based environmental change intervention. [1] [1] Economos CD, Hyatt RR, Goldberg JP, Must A, Naumova EN, Collins JJ, Nelson ME. “A Community Intervention Reduces BMI z-Score in Children: Shape Up Somerville First Year Results.” Obesity. (May) 2007;15(5).

  8. Secondary Outcomes • Additional funding to community (ALbD, PEP) • Bike racks put in at schools • Somerville School’s “Wellness Policy” • School Food Service offer unlimited fresh, whole fruit at every breakfast and lunch. A la carte has also been revamped to meet A-list criteria. • Mayor Curtatone authorized increased spending on crosswalks throughout the city by three years to be done in thermoplastic material. • City employees receive a $200 reimbursement for health club membership.

  9. Sustainability: • SUS Coordinator • SUS Task Force • Food Service changes • Implementation of Wellness Policy • HEAT Club • Shape Up 5k

  10. Request for Applications Overview • CIB seeks to replicate its successful Shape Up Somerville (SUS) childhood obesity prevention project in 3 under-served, urban communities across the country in a 2-year research study that targets 1st-3rd graders and their families. • From the RFA process, CIB will select 6 communities that are similar in community readiness. • 3 of the selected 6 communities will be randomized to receive the intervention and 3 will be randomized to serve as control communities. • CIB will provide the 3 intervention cities with training, tools, and $300,000 over two years. • Control communities will receive $10,000 and intervention tools, an on-site training, technical assistance, and the results from this replication effort in Spring 2010.

  11. Request for Applications Eligibility Criteria • Urban city with a population between 50,000-125,000. • Independent government structure (Mayor/City Manager) – not a county or neighborhood. • Community must demonstrate racial, ethnic and economic diversity. • Established, community-based coalition. • Grantee must be a not-for-profit organization. • School department cannot outsource its food service department. • School department must commit to implementing changes in the schools within the city. • School department must commit a professional staff development day. • Community must contribute $100,000 or demonstrate its in-kind equivalent over the two-year project.

  12. Request for Applications Key Dates November 15, 2007 – Required Letter of Intent Due December 17, 2007 – Full Applications Due January/February 2008 – Key informant interviews and one-day site visits conducted with finalists March 3, 2008 – Award letters sent to 3 intervention communities and 3 control communities May 1, 2008 – Budget and workplan due. Hiring of Project Manager underway.

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