Reversing the Trend

“To eliminate childhood obesity and inspire all young Americans to develop lifelong, healthy habits”

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Alliance for a Healthier Generation Goal

The goal is to stop the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States by 2010 and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 by fostering an environment that helps all kids pursue healthy lifestyles. 

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Four Initiatives

Healthy Schools Program

Kids’ Movement

Industry Initiative

Healthcare Initiative

• Broker voluntary agreements with companies to provide healthier options for kids across a range of industry segments

• Broker voluntary agreement with healthcare insurers and self- insured employers to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment directed at reducing or preventing childhood obesity

• Make healthy lifestyles “cool” for kids through collaboration with media, celebrity and grassroots partners

• Criteria-based recognition program for schools and provide “hands-on” and “virtual” technical assistance

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The Healthy Schools Program is designed to create a nationwide paradigm shift…in which the perception that a school environment that promotes healthy eating and physical activity is the norm and not the exception.

Healthy Schools Program

History of the Healthy Schools Program

• Established in February 2006 by a $8 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Kicked off the Healthy Schools Program at the first annual Healthy Schools Forum at the Clinton Presidential Library in July 2006.

• Provided onsite support to 230 schools in 13 states and online support to over 900 schools during the 2006-07 school year.

• The RWJF expansion will allow us to provide onsite support to over 8,000 schools in 30 states and online support to countless schools.

Unique Contributions of the Healthy Schools Program1. The only national program that couples comprehensive

support to schools with the opportunity for national recognition.

2. The only opportunity for schools to be nationally-recognized for their overall healthy school environments.

3. By virtue of its parent organizations, the Alliance has the unique ability to contribute to macro-level solutions for childhood obesity prevention.

• Onsite Support is offered by a Relationship Manager.

• Online Support is offered through electronic, web-based and telephonic means by multiple Healthy Schools Program team members.

Support to Schools

Best Practices Framework

• Policy

• Health Education

• Physical Education

• School Meals Programs

• Competitive Foods & Beverages

• Physical Activity

• Afterschool Programs

• School Employee Wellness

1. Convene a School Wellness Council

2. Complete an Inventory to determine a starting point for your school

3. Analyze Inventory results & develop a plan of action

4. Identify resources for implementation

5. Take action!

6. Celebrate successes & monitor progress

Six Steps to a Healthier School Environment

School Nutrition Support

How the Alliance Supports School Meals

1. Science-based criteria for school meals programs2. On-site, web-based and telephone assistance to

districts and schools on implementation issues 3. Work with industry partners to facilitate access to

healthier products4. Co-facilitate convening of urban school nutrition

directors to harness collective their influence and power,

Industry Initiatives 2006 Accomplishments

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

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• On-site, telephone and electronic technical assistance upon request

• Web-based trainings on implementation issues

• Online tools to help align contracts and policies to the Alliance beverage and snack food guidelines

• Work with national partners to support their constituents implement the snack food guidelines

How We Support Implementation of the Beverage & Snack Food Guidelines

in Schools

Healthy Schools Product Navigator & Calculator

The Navigator is an online catalog schools can use to create a shopping list of foods that meet the Alliance’s healthy snack guidelines. Schools simply browse the catalog, add items to their shopping list, and print.

The calculator will allow schools to enter values from nutrition labels and see if the product meets our guidelines (based on school level).

Healthy Schools Program Future Directions

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults & HSP InterfaceRWJF Expansion

(based on prevalence data)

15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Our Expansion Steps• Work with state partners to identify

schools to work with onsite.

• Hire and train the Relationship Managers.

• Recruit schools

• Begin the provision of support to schools in Winter 2008

Ginny EhrlichNational Schools DirectorAlliance for a Healthier Generation1200 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 220Portland, Oregon 97209503-595-2568 officegehrlich@healthiergeneration.org

Contact Information