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[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Healthy choices, healthy minds: Integrating community-based and institutional resources to implement comprehensive programs that concurrently address childhood and adolescent obesity and mental health

Walid Michelen, MD1, Jacqueline Martinez, MPH2, Ninoska Uribe, MS3, and Yisel Alonzo, BA2. (1) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 5141 BROADWAY, RM 1-015, New York, NY 10032, (212) 932-5500, wm89@columbia.edu, (2) Center for Community Health Partnerships, Columbia University, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 27C, New York, NY 10032, (3) Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program, Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC Programs, 16 E. 34th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016

The growing rate of childhood obesity has challenged the medical community to seek creative behavioral-modification programs for youth and their caretakers. As part of the Northern Manhattan Community Voices Collaborative, Columbia University and Cornell Cooperative Extension have integrated their resources with the School-based Health Centers (SBHC), composed of 5 schools, to implement a three-prong health promotion intervention to improve dietary choices, increase physical activity, and stimulate mental well-being. Need assessments were conducted by SBHC's and university staff using several tools and measurements, including BMI reading, parent and student survey. Based on the information, over 30% of children and adolescents were identified as obese and overweight. The school-based survey also showed high rates of personal discontent with weight and extreme levels of inactivity. Highlighting the lack of space and financial resources, presenters will illustrate how to pull together university, hospital and community resources to run in effective program for youth, their caretakers, and school staff as part of a school-based service. Presenters will explain the development of a "Healthy Choices" curriculum, illustrate classroom exercises, describe the components of the cognitive learning project, and the utilization of the on-site mental health program.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

The Epidemic of Childhood Obesity

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA