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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Shacy Lee Rivera, School of Public Health, MCP Hahnemann University, 245 N. 15th Street/Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (215)681-2044, shacyriv@hotmail.com, Dolores T. Smith, Southeast Region, Pennsylvania Division, Inc., American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, and Mariana Chilton, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, Community Health and Prevention, MCP Hahnemann University, 245 N.15th Street/Mailstop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
This study developed a curriculum for the American Cancer Society (ACS), called the Nutrition Leadership Institute, which aims to increase awareness among students about the benefits of good nutrition and physical activity as it relates to cancer risk. Piloting this curriculum with middle school students in Philadelphia, PA can ultimately help ACS determine if it has a role in nutrition education in Philadelphia public schools to strengthen or develop comprehensive school health councils that encourage healthy lifestyles, improve the health of children, and ensure public participation in the prevention of cancer.
The pilot project was implemented in a Philadelphia public middle school. Research methods to develop the curriculum included a community needs assessment. Seventh and eighth graders, their parents, and school faculty completed qualitative surveys to identify common themes in nutrition that determined the focus of each lesson. In addition, observations during gym classes and breakfast and lunch hours determined eating and physical activity behaviors. Site visits to local corner stores and markets determined availability of food resources.
Benefits to the participants included a curriculum tailored to the needs identified by the community, increasing potential for the curriculum to be more enjoyable and effective. This method has potential for ACS to expand and improve the Nutrition Leadership Institute for implementation in schools across the country to help turn knowledge of healthy behaviors into practice. Evaluation methods will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Cancer Society - Southeast Region, Pennsylvania Division, Inc.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.