Understanding the Role of Schools in Community Prevention of Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is considered an epidemic with the percentage of obesity among children in the United States more than tripling in the past 30 years (Institute of Medicine, 2012). Many factors in the environment contribute to this problem including increased availability of unhealthy foods and limited access to healthy foods, increased screen time and lack of accessible and safe places for physical activity (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Since many of these factors are often shared by a community due to common experience, successful interventions should target the community. When planning community interventions, it is important to link community resources such as city parks with neighborhoods where children go to school and live. Community partners that include city parks, neighborhoods, schools, local government, and health care professionals are essential to developing successful childhood obesity prevention practices. Past reviews of studies found that nutrition education, increased opportunities for physical activity and use of the school as a resource are crucial in preventing and curbing childhood obesity (Bleich, Segal, Wu, Wilson & Wang, 2013; Waters et al., 2011). / / This honors project was conducted in rural eastern North Carolina at a school-based health center located in a public school in collaboration with a school nurse. The school has a student population of 460 in 5th through 8th grade. In eastern North Carolina 17.4% of children aged 2-17 years are obese (North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, 2011). The purpose of this project is integrate community resources related to healthy food choices and physical activity with school-age children in the school setting. The first objective of this project was to interview 4-5 key informants, about what community resources, such as parks and community gardens are available and how the school uses these resources to improve food choices and physical activity. The second objective was to provide written recommendations on the integration of community resources with school-age children to increase healthy food choices and physical activity levels. Public health interventions used in this project were collaboration and coalition building with community partners. /