Obesity prevention strategies inside and outside school based health center clinic walls

Introduction- Because they have a foot in both health and academic worlds school based health centers (SBHCs), are uniquely positioned to promote both individual and systemic change that help prevent obesity. Approach- Inside the clinic walls strategies such as 7-5-2-1-0 messaging, (eat breakfast 7 days a week, 5 servings or more of produce per day, 2 hours or less of screen time per day, one hour or more of physical activity per day and zero sugar sweetened beverages), are used to provide students a menu of healthy choices. Providers then use motivational interviewing to promote the option chosen. This year text messaging will be used as well as clinic visits to reinforce messaging. Outside the clinic walls strategies such as setting up afterschool cooking and gardening programs, walking groups, promoting healthy foods at student stores and working with school nutrition services and coaches are effective strategies for promoting healthy eating and active living. Results- Initial results at 16 school based health center sites in Seattle Public Schools indicate that 7-5-2-1-0 is an effective framework for health promoting messaging and that SBHC staff are effective ambassadors for promoting healthy school environments. Discussion- With focused and coordinated effort students and schools can be encouraged to engage in health promoting behaviors by SBHC staff.