Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
There is an epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States and throughout the world. Experts estimate one in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 are overweight. Millions of these children face a higher risk much earlier in life of developing obesity-related disorders, such as diabetes and heart disease. There is growing recognition that creating healthy places (schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces) is essential to supporting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Without a healthy environment, people are more likely to suffer from obesity or one of the many chronic diseases confronting the United Sates. Healthy communities require healthy environments.

Response:
111 high school students representing eleven northeast Iowa school districts became fitness-bound at the "Highway to Health" youth conference, held in Decorah on April 1.Supported by 16 adult teachers/coaches, the participants engaged in a full-day of sessions around policy advocacy, nutrition, wellness, and education. The Nutrition and Health Specialist, assisted by two high school youth, led four sessions called "Nutrition 101" which provided nutrition knowledge specifically focused on label reading and choices for snacks and beverages. The conference keynote was Jim Hallihan, executive director of the Iowa Sports Foundation, who was followed by Tim Lane with the Iowa Department of Public Health. Fifteen agencies and organizations partnered for the premiere event. The conference was designed by the Food and Fitness Regional Youth Leadership Team, an offshoot of the Regional School Leadership Team.

Impact:
At the conclusion of the "Nutrition 101" sessions, students were asked to answer "How can you use the information from this program within your school environment?" Student responses indicate interest in taking action for significant changes within their districts, including ideas such as "Come up with options for school lunches that offer healthy choices; Educate and share statistics with peers, school teachers, school board members, and cooks; Get healthier foods at our ala carte; Teach the younger kids healthier eating habits; See if the cooks can/will provide nutrition labels for what is served; and See if we can sell fruit at sporting events." Several Northeast Iowa school districts are moving forward to create school-based Food and Fitness (FIFI) Youth Teams. Guided by an adult FFI coach, the youth groups will help determine local health and nutrition needs, provide educational opportunities for students and staff, promote healthy living, advocate for policy review and change, and evaluate the effectiveness of their work, with the overall goals of: improving access to local healthy foods in area schools and increasing opportunities for physical activity and play for youth and families. The Nutrition and Health Specialist will make site visits this fall to eight school districts in the region whose food service staff attended TEAM Nutrition chef workshops-which were provided through a partnership between ISU Extension and the Department of Education. Ideas and action from these students, combined with the knowledge and skills gained by the food service staff through their participation in the workshops, has the potential of producing positive steps to create healthier school environments...a good fit with our ISU Extension mission of "Healthier People, Stronger Families, Vibrant Communities".

Additional ISUE Extension Staff:
Brenda Ranum, Winneshiek CEED
Vanette Grover, 4-H Youth Dev. Specialist
Lynnette Anderson, Howard CYC & Youth Engagement Coordinator for the FFI
Judy Isaacson, External Relations Specialist

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
Ann Mansfield, Co-convenor of the NE IA Food & Fitness Inititative/Health Liaison at Luther College

Contact:
Cindy Baumgartner
Delaware County Extension
PO Box 336
Manchester, IA 52057
563-927-4201
cbaum@iastate.edu