The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71788

Arnell J. Hinkle, MPH, RD, California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program, 2140 Shattuck Ave., Suite 610, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-644-1533, ahinkle@canfit.org

How do you design and implement effective nutrition and fitness interventions which deal with the cultural and economic realities facing adolescents from low-income communities? The California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness (CANFit) Program was established in 1993 to address this question; its mission is to "engage communities, and build their capacity to the improve nutrition and physical activity of California's low-income, African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian youth, 10-14 years old." The CANFit Program 1) funds innovative community-based projects in nutrition education and fitness for targeted youth, 2) leverages existing resources by coordination with other organizations serving these youth, and 3) evaluates and disseminates effective nutrition and fitness education models and programs throughout the state. To date, a total of $1.8 million has been awarded to over 50 community-based organizations to plan or implement nutrition and physical activity projects in California. This presentation will highlight the origins of the CANFit Program, describe CANFit’s role as a grantmaker to community-based organizations, and discuss the projects undertaken by grantees and their impact on their communities. Strategies for implementing effective programs which improve the nutritional and physical activity status of low-income, multi-ethnic adolescents will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe the CANFit program.
  6. Understand how community based organizations can be engaged in nutrition and physical activity promotion.
  9. List three innovative approaches to addressing childhood obesity in low-income, multi-ethnic communities.

Keywords: Obesity, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Samuels & Associates, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation and CANFit
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.