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Table of Contents

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Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 Statement of Need ......................................................................................................................... 4 Program Narrative........................................................................................................................ 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 9 Current Efforts........................................................................................................................... 11 Goals.......................................................................................................................................... 12 Feasibility/Resources ................................................................................................................ 15 Need .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Evaluation and Assessment ....................................................................................................... 18 Sustainability ............................................................................................................................. 19 Benefits...................................................................................................................................... 20 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 20 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................. 23 Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 25 Primary Investigator Bio ........................................................................................................... 25 Budget Spreadsheet ................................................................................................................... 26 Timeline of Program Events ..................................................................................................... 27 Info on Sponsor ......................................................................................................................... 29

Executive Summary

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Childhood obesity is a national epidemic. The scary reality is that these children are likely to carry their obesity problems into adulthood. Recent statistics show that At least 20 million children under the age of 5, more than 9 million children and adolescents (ages 619), and about 142 million adults (age 20 and older) are considered obese (Heart Disease, 2008). This is not a problem to be taken lightly, because about 400,000 deaths are attributed to inactivity and poor diet every year (Mokdad, Marks, Stroup, & Gerberding, 2004). No one is immune to this problem, and while it has not traditionally been the role of the public school system to address the weight of its students, the current situation now requires it. Circumstances are much different than years prior, and it is being reflected in the latest statistics. There are many reasons behind increased rates of childhood obesity, however, instead of addressing the problem after it begins, it is time for a new approach. We need to educate children early in life about leading an active, healthy lifestyle. A myriad of factors have contributed to poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Cut-backs on physical education, technology, and poverty are just a few. But compared to 1980, obesity rates in children have risen from 5% to 12% in children ages 2-5 and from 6% to 17% in children ages 12-19 (Obesity Prevalence, 2006). If one goes back even farther, into the 1960s obesity rates were below 5% for all children ages 2-18 (Prevalence Of, 2006). However, this national problem is just as easily seen on the local level in towns all across the United States. The Neshaminy School District has done a fair job of handling the increasing rates of obesity in children. In 2004, the district won a grant of $241,390 in an effort to specifically target childhood obesity by expanding its physical education program. Then in 2006, the district teamed up with local hospital, St. Marys Medical Center to create a program called KidShape. This program saw great success, but as enthusiasm waned, it lost momentum. In addition to these major steps, there have been some more subtle steps as well. All in all, it is time to be more aggressive and put into place a more strategic and dedicated program to really combat this problem. In order to help Neshaminy School District with the childhood obesity problem, HealthyKids is a program that has been designed to target two of the most common causes; lack of physical activity and poor diet. It is designed to deal with obesity in a preventative, educational, and practical manner through four different approaches. First is a BMI screening for every student from kindergarten until they reach 12th grade. Second, is an initiative to provide healthier food for students in the cafeteria, vending machines, etc. Standards will be put into place to ensure quality food is offered. Third, physical education will be implemented daily for all students. Fourth, nutrition will be inserted into the curriculum of health education, so students can be educated early about healthy eating habits. It is the hope of HealthyKids that the district takes this proposal into consideration before this obesity epidemic gets any more serious for our children. This comprehensive approach has been designed specifically for students K-12 and if executed correctly, should see a high rate of success.

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Executive Summary

Introduction The obesity epidemic affects all Americans, but the most devastating it when it strikes children. Since the 1960s, obesity rates have steadily increased in the U.S. and dont seem to be declining anytime soon. While it has not traditionally been the role of the public school system to address the weight of students, the situation has become dire enough to require the assistance and support from schools. HealthyKids is a program that will allow a school district to follow four main strategies to help its students to thrive and lead healthy lives. While there is no miracle method that will keep all children from becoming obese, there are proven tactics that will benefit children enormously. While there are no statistics specifically regarding Neshaminy students and obesity rates, about 20% of children in southeastern Pennsylvania alone are considered to be obese. This number is much too high, which is why this proposal aims to cut this rate within the schools of the Neshaminy School District. It is time for Neshaminy School District to take more aggressive actions to help curb obesity within its schools. But what can schools do to help children from suffering from obesity and its effects? It is important to realize that the practices that children learn early on they are most likely to bring with them into adulthood. Children spend so much time in school, which gives schools a unique opportunity in which to mold the habits of children in a positive way. By tracking childrens weight through Body Mass Index (BMI) Screenings, implementing physical education daily, adding nutrition education to health classes, and providing healthy food choices in school, students will learn what it means to be healthy early in their lives. This gives them the knowledge to lead healthy lives in the future.

Statement of Need

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Statement of Need While childhood obesity is a global problem, it can easily be identified on the local level as well. Three major factors contribute to obesity and they include physical activity, dietary habits, and socio-economic status. Childhood obesity affects kids in all grades; K12. Many people view obesity and other weight issues as a personal one; however, schools play a major role in influencing the behaviors and lifestyle choices of children. Kids spend about 8 hours a day and 5 days a week in school from about ages 5-18. Thus, schools have more than sufficient time to shape children into leading healthy lifestyles. Lower Bucks County, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is just one of many examples of the obesity problem in the United States. The most recent U.S. Census from 2008 estimates the population of the area to be about 620,000, with about 23% of that population being under the age of 18. It is a predominantly white area (91.8%), with African-Americans as the largest minority (3.7%). The percentage of high school graduates is fairly high, at a little over 81%. It is a largely middle to upper-class county, with only 5% of the population falling under the poverty level and a median income level of about $70,000 (U.S. Census, 2008). The major public school for the LowerBucks area is the Neshaminy School District. It covers 27.6 square miles that consists of 14 schools and approximately 9,200 students (Neshaminy, 2008). These demographic characteristics rule out low socio-economic status

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Statement of Need

as a major problem in the Neshaminy district, as most of the population are above the poverty level. This leaves physical activity and dietary practices as the main culprits in this particular county. But in order to address a problem, one must first understand the root of the problem, and often times with obesity it involves public awareness. When lined up against surrounding counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Bucks County is doing comparatively well. The chart below shows Bucks in comparison to other counties and it is clearly lower than the rest, however, 19.5% of children being classified as obese is still much too high.

Source: (Kotranski & Axler, 2006)

Similarly, the goals set by Healthy People 2010 have still not been met. As shown in the chart below from the Public Health Management Corporation, the goal for childhood obesity was to reach a 5% obesity rate, yet as of 2008 childhood obesity was still

The goals set by Healthy People 2010 have still not been met.

Statement of Need

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at 19.2%. One good sign is that obesity rates are slowly coming down, but as stated before, almost 20% of children classified as obese is still much too high.

Source: (Community Health, 2008)

Neshaminy has recognized obesity as a problem and taken steps to address it. In 2004, the district won a grant of $241,390 in an effort to specifically target childhood obesity by expanding its physical education program. Charles Schmidt, the lead teacher for health and physical education at Neshaminy, worked closely with local hospital, St. Marys Medical Centers Terry Rivera, the hospital's community health services department. Together, they outlined the Active, Healthy Kids Program in an effort to teach kids about an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits. While they did not have specific statistics on

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Statement of Need

the percentage of obese children in the Neshaminy district, Schmidt estimated about 1520% of Neshaminy students are obese (Jenkins, 2004). In 2006, St. Mary Medical Center launched a program called KidShape, which is an 8-week long program for children ages 6-14 whose Body Mass Index (BMI) have reached a dangerously high level. It educates them about the health consequences of obesity and provides facts about healthy eating through interactive workshops. The program saw the following results (Taking Care, 2006):

Nearly 80 Neshaminy students and their families graduated from KidShape. BMI of participating students decreased by 0.4 of a point. Students vegetable consumption increased by 2.1 servings per week, their weekly fruit consumption increased by four servings per week, and their added fat and sweet consumption decreased by 5.3 servings per week.

Students spent 3.6 hours more each week being physically active, while their time spent on inactive pastimes such as watching television, using the computer, or playing video games decreased by 7.1 hours.

In addition to these programs, Neshaminy schools have made minor, more subtle changes. For example, all of the vending machines selling snacks and soft drinks have been eliminated in an effort to promote healthier eating. Karen Wychok, principal of Neshaminy Middle School has implemented things such as a 1-mile walk around the school during fire drills and a mountain bike riding option in gym class for children who may not enjoy

Statement of Need

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traditional sports (The Challenge, 2008). While these small techniques will not solve the problem, they do promote healthier lifestyles while children are at school. Over the years, Neshaminy has tried several programs and initiatives to deal with childhood obesity. While they have been mildly successful, further programs need to be implemented to more aggressively attend to the obesity problems of its students. According to the Neshaminy website, elementary school students receive only one physical education class per week, middle school students have class two or three times a week, and high school students have class twice a week (Neshaminy, 2008). Furthermore, a look at their Board Minutes from the past 3 years yields no evidence of discussion about the obesity problem in the District. With major renovations taking place at Neshaminy High School for these past 3 years, it seems that the vigor in which administration was addressing obesity in previous years has fallen to the wayside in favor of funding and managing the renovations. Neshaminy should be looking into some policy changes as other schools have done in order to raise awareness of obesity and motivate parents and children to do something about it. The programs that have been run so far have provided a good springboard for Neshaminy to build off of, but the problem of childhood obesity is a major problem that deserves more aggressive tactics. Recently, Massachusetts decided to adopt a plan like that of Arkansas. It consists of a BMI (Body Mass Index) screening
Childhood obesity is a major problem that deserves more aggressive tactics.

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Statement of Need

program for children to detect rates of obesity. It is the most ambitious campaign in the country in taking on childhood obesity. April Rodgers, a mother of two young boys. When I saw that my sons were considered obese, it was a shock, said Rodgers, who, armed with the weight score sheet, returned to the pediatrician and got a referral to a child weight specialist. Since enrolling at the specialty clinic, the boys have nudged closer to normal weight (Smith, 2009). The screenings are held at intervals in the first, fourth, seventh, and 10th grades, which allows parents to track their children and evaluate whether they are on a healthy track. While these states follow this practice under government mandated legislation, Neshaminy could simply use this procedure as a private method of tracking obesity as part of its health evaluations. School administrators should combine the efforts of the many individuals. By maintaining the relationship with local hospital St. Marys Medical Center, and combining that support with the roles of physical education teachers, health teachers, and school nurses, a higher level of awareness could be achieved. Only then, when the district has secured the motivation and sense of urgency from its students and parents, can they begin to implement programs of physical education and dietary. Because at the moment, many children do not understand the harm they are inflicting on their bodies, and until they do, their ignorance will prevent them from taking any school-initiated programs seriously. PROGRAM NARRATIVE Introduction To be planned in the summer of 2009 and implemented in September 2009 at the start of the

Program Narrative

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new school year. It will go into effect for all elementary schools, middle schools, and the high school in the Neshaminy School District. This pilot program will be evaluated throughout the school year culminating in a final evaluation upon the end of the school year in June. Appropriate changes will be implemented during and after the year as deemed necessary. Combined efforts of school administrators, faculty, parents, students, and healthcare professionals will be critical for the success of this program. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic that can be felt in counties all over the United States, and Bucks County is no different. It is time that a tangible plan is put into place with the specific purpose of keeping the roughly 9,000 students in the Neshaminy School District at a healthy weight. It is time for the School Board to take into consideration, HealthyKids, a multi-approach program that would address childhood obesity in Neshaminy schools. Neshaminys mission statement reads, The Neshaminy community empowers students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners. Neshaminy - We build futures! (Neshaminy, 2009). Assuming that the district really is committed to these goals, this program would help in their efforts. In order for children to grow and become empowered and productive, many basic needs should first be met. In Maslows famous Hierarchy

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Program Narrative

of Needs, he illustrates the levels of needs that people must fulfill in order to develop, and the very first set of needs that need to be met he defined as physiological. These needs include sleep, food, and breathing to name a few. All in all, they include basic needs to ensure health. These basic needs for survival must be met before we can begin to advance to a high self-esteem, confidence, or self-actualization. So in essence, obesity can prohibit children from experiencing the very ideals that Neshaminy strives to instill in its students. Current Efforts Neshaminy schools are doing a relatively good job with their programs directed at leading a healthy lifestyle. In the district, elementary school students receive only one physical education class per week, middle school students have class two or three times a week, and high school students have class twice a week (Neshaminy, 2009). Gym classes are 50 minutes each, so children are receiving 50 minutes in elementary school, 100 150 minutes in middle school, and 100 minutes of physical education in high school per week. However, the Center for Disease Control recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for children and adolescents (How much, 2009). Topics like diet and nutrition are not currently in the curriculum for health classes at all from grades K-12. Topics in elementary school include violence prevention, alcohol and drugs, and AIDS; topics in middle school and high school include sexuality, alcohol and drugs, CPR and First Aid, HIV, and conflict resolution. While these topics are important in and of themselves, it is important that healthy eating practices and nutrition education be taught to children. Additionally, health classes are only held during fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and tenth

Program Narrative

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grades all three times per week. Lastly, Neshaminy has already taken steps to improve its food service. It has completely eliminated soft drinks from all schools. Vending machines and cafeterias have replaced soft drinks with Gatorade and Snapple products. However, a majority of the lunches and snacks offered are high-fat, with very few to no healthy options. A glance at one week of lunch options in March 2009 includes stuffed crust pizza, tacos, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and mozzarella sticks. Marie Wallace, the Director of Food Services says that a goal is to provide nutritious and appealing meals to students (Neshaminy, 2009). With this goal in mind, it is time to revamp the lunches that are served by Neshaminy schools. These three categories; physical education, health class, and school lunches must be held to higher standards in order to really crack down on childhood obesity. Proposed Plan: HealthyKids Goals A combination of preventative, educational, and practical approaches have been constructed to address obesity through four main objectives which include the following:

We want to obtain obesity rates for students in the Neshaminy School District and track their Body Rate Index from kindergarten to 12th grade.

We want to increase awareness and knowledge of nutrition and healthy lifestyles through education in health classes.

We want to back up the nutrition education by offering healthy food options for

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Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

lunches and snacks in all schools.

We want to increase physical activity every day to provide students with the CDC recommended hours of daily physical activity.

Objective 1 The first and most crucial element to the program is a Body Mass Index (BMI) screening at the beginning of every school year starting when students enter kindergarten. This preventative approach will be the job of school nurses to collect the height and weight of each student enter it into a database in order to calculate their BMI. These screenings will allow a monitoring of each students BMI in order to identify any problems early. Protocols will be developed to ensure discretion, confidentiality, and comfort are put into practice when dealing with this sensitive and often embarrassing issue. Additionally, letters will be sent home to every parent, informing them of their childs height, weight, and calculated BMI (see Appendix A). Within this letter will include a list of resources, including recommended local health professional to contact if the childs BMI is deemed concerning. It is not the role of schools to supply diagnostic services, it is simply to serve as a catalyst for further assessment, not a diagnosis, nor a solution (Johnson, 2006). Objective 2 As far as the educational aspect of the program, health classes will need to be much more comprehensive by including nutrition and wellness education into the curriculum. By eliminating portions of other subject areas already being discussed, such as alcohol and

Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

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drugs, it will allow for time to be spent on nutrition and healthy-living. Also, portions of science curriculums in elementary, middle, and high school classes will be required to touch on nutrition education. By learning about the guidelines established by U.S. Department of Agriculture, students will be better prepared to make healthy choices when it comes to diet.

Objective 3 Going hand in hand with this curriculum addition will be a noticeable difference in the cafeteria. Regulations and standards will be set to filter out foods with inappropriate levels of fat, sugar, cholesterol, etc. These foods will be phased out and replaced with healthier options, much in the way soft drinks were a few years ago. With only healthy foods in front of them, the idea is that kids will develop a healthier image of food and be more inclined to make good choices when outside of the school setting. Objective 4 The last segment of the HealthyKids program is a more intensive physical education program. As previously noted, the CDC recommends at least 60 minutes per day (or 300 minutes per a 5-day school week) for children and

These changes would fulfill 94% of each students recommended 300 weekly hours of physical activity.

adolescents. While it is not wholly the responsibility of a childs school to fulfill its physical activity requirements, Neshaminy Schools are, on average, only fulfilling 30% at the moment. HealthyKids would like to see that percentage increase. In order to implement

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Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

daily physical education classes, it is proposed that 5 minutes be taken from every class (8 classes in one day), making classes only 45 minutes instead of 50 minutes (see Appendix B). This would create an additional 40 minutes in which physical education could be 5 days a week, creating an additional 200 minutes of physical education per week. These changes would fulfill 94% of each students' recommended 300 weekly hours of physical activity. This 5-minute cut would not have to occur every day of the week, seeing as 1-3 physical education days are already built into the school week. Thus, elementary schools would have to cut classes 4 times a week, middle schools 2-3 times, and high school 3 times. On days where physical education is already a part of the day, classes will maintain their 50 minutes. In reality, asking for 5 minutes from each class is not much to ask, especially when the results will be beneficial. It has been proven that students do better academically and behave better when they Feasibility / Resources The most exciting thing about HealthyKids is that it is very easy to implement, using little to no extra resources. The BMI screening only requires a software package in order to create a database. But no new personnel, no experience/training, nor any new equipment will be necessary. The nurses at each individual school will continue to do what they have been doing for years; recording the height and weight of the students with a traditional scale. The only difference now is that they will enter these figures into a database that will then calculate BMI. It is a quick, efficient, and organized method of tracking the BMI of all Neshaminy students.

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As far as the additional material regarding diet and nutrition in health and science classes, a meeting of all the health instructors will be necessary. Together, they will put together a standard curriculum to ensure consistency, which will be taught in all schools. Using the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a guide and a valuable resource, material will be very easy to create. With the exception of time, no new resources, personnel, or equipment will be necessary. Changing the dietary options in the cafeteria will be relatively easy. Food services staff will have to organize a focus group to set standards for calories, fat, and sugars in the food they serve. They will have to eliminate foods that exceed these regulations and replace them with foods that meet them. School lunches may have to see a price increase because healthy foods tend to be more expensive then junk food, but since the district will be purchasing from suppliers in bulk, the prices should not go up too much. The most controversial element of HealthyKids is the implementation of daily physical education classes. It is indeed the most intricate part, yet completely possible. This portion will require creativity, sacrifice, and ingenuity. Using student teachers from local colleges and universities, which there are many of, could alleviate salary additions to the budget and still create new teacher positions. Where will these gym classes take place? When the weather is pleasant, many classes may be held outside. When conditions arent as favorable, classes can be held in the gymnasiums, pools, cafeterias, and auditoriums.
Daily physical education classes will ensure physical activity every day for all students.

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Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

Physical education does not have to consist of intricately planned activities everyday; the main focus is to get kids physically active every day and learning to incorporate activity into their lives every day, not just once or twice a week. Focus groups should be held at each school to brainstorm and identify the best plan of action for each school depending on their given resources. Need HealthyKids is greatly needed in the Neshaminy School District because at the moment there is very little knowledge about the students and how much obesity is affecting them. There are very few statistics regarding obesity rates in this district. This program is a unique approach because it combines various initiatives that have been put into place all across the United States. With obesity being such a complex problem, it requires a multifaceted approach. In a school setting, childhood obesity should be a top priority because it can have an effect on academic performance. Children who are obese or overweight often have a low self-esteem stemming from a low body image. Children who dont have enough physical activity and eat poorly are often sluggish and unmotivated, which can be reflected in their work. Schools can only see the benefits of a comprehensive program such as HealthyKids. So it is important that this program be adopted and put into place in order to begin to address childhood obesity as soon as possible. With an estimated 15-20% student obesity rate, it is a problem that must be taken on before it gets any worse. There are many problems that people do not have control over, but childhood obesity is not one of them.

Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

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We can prevent Neshaminy students from dealing with obesity by offering them this strategic program designed to attack all of the vulnerabilities that obesity feeds off of. Evaluation & Assessment Several methods need to be put into place in order to evaluate the success of this program in both a formative and summative fashion. The first year of implementation will inevitably have kinks that need to be worked out as the program progresses. Thus, each of the program elements will be evaluated as follows: 1. BMI screening

Pre and post tests will be used to determine BMI at the start of each year and evaluate differences.

2. Healthier lunches

Focus groups to decide on what standards should be adopted and which foods to include.

Observation will take place to evaluate how popular the lunches were and how satisfied students are with them.

3. Daily physical education

Surveys

One survey before, during, and after the program will be used to

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Program Narrative: Proposed Plan

evaluate the popularity of physical education every day and also its effectiveness. 4. Nutrition classes in curriculum Pre and post tests will be used to evaluate how much kids learned over the course of the class. After all the data has been collected, the members of the focus groups will compile reports to organize the data. This will take place during the school year and again upon completion of the school year in June. BMI screenings will be easy because the computer database will organize all of the data. Nutrition tests will also be easy because they will simply be scantron tests which are practically self-graded. The surveys for attitudes surrounding physical education and the observation about popularity of the new lunches will be a bit more time consuming, but by utilizing online survey sites, the data will already be somewhat organized. Sustainability HealthyKids is a highly sustainable program that requires very little effort to maintain. Highly computerized, much of the work does itself. However, someone will need to be put in charge of the initiative overall in order to maintain consistency and organization. Then someone will be in charge of each of the subcategories to manage them directly (BMI screenings, lunches, nutrition education, and physical education). In addition to managing the actual program, a focus group of parents should be formed in order for them to voice

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any questions, concerns, or ideas. This will encourage participation and garner support within the community. With the backing of the parent base, the program will gain strength and longevity. With a rather small budget, funding shouldnt be an issue. Benefits The benefits of HealthyKids are numerous. By eliminating sources of obesity and replacing them with positive things, students will have a healthier and more positive childhood. By dealing with obesity, children will benefit because they will not have to deal with things such as health ramifications, body issues, or low self-esteem. It is our hope that the Board takes this proposal into strong consideration after being presented with all of the benefits it has to offer the Neshaminy School District. It is time to take a more active role in the well-being of
the students. Childhood obesity doesnt have to be a problem for Neshaminy, and HealthyKids provides a detailed outline for alleviating this problem.

Final Points To conclude, let us summarize the advantages that HealthyKids can provide for the children of the Neshaminy School District and discuss the costs of the program. This proposal has highlighted many disturbing and troubling statistics regarding childhood obesity, but it is important to note that by taking the necessary steps, we can make progress. As previously stated, there simply is no miracle way to completely rid every child of having to deal with obesity. However, HealthyKids has outlined four strategies that culminate to provide a comprehensive plan in dealing with childhood obesity. These strategies use various methods to attack obesity in places where it thrives. Preventative, educational, and

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Conclusion

practical approaches are utilized to counteract the current ignorance and lack of opportunity that our children are being served. The two biggest demerits of this program are time and money. This being said, any quality proposal is going to require an extensive amount of time to plan and implement. Furthermore, HealthyKids is a quality program that will require the expertise and time of numerous individuals. This will prove to be relatively costly. While the price may seem high, at an estimated $16,8841.00, this is mainly for its implementation. After the program is set up and put in place, it will pay for itself in the following years. All of the costs reflect start-up costs with little ongoing costs in years to come. Thus, HealthyKids is a long-term solution to addressing childhood obesity that would benefit Neshaminy students for many years in the future. It is a wise investment that may seem steep at the start, but will prove its worth over time. That is why we strongly believe that the advantages gained would offset this cost. One Neshaminy administration and faculty are trained and primed for HealthyKids, our consultants will no longer be a necessary element. We will always be available for assistance or consults, but as far as the everyday functions of the program, Neshaminy will be self-sufficient. It is a proven fact that healthy, active children are more focused, confident, and happy on the whole. Therefore, healthy Neshaminy students will exhibit a direct correlation to higher test scores, which will result in more government funding and more success in securing grants for the district. Thank you for giving HealthyKids the opportunity to collaborate with you in an

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effort to help our children. We look forward to the chance to meet and discuss how this program could benefit you in more detail. It is our hope that you will take this proposal into strong consideration and we can meet on June 29, 2009 to begin the implementation process. Childhood obesity is a devastating epidemic, but this program can help to alleviate the concern and take positive steps in curbing the problem. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or suggestions you may have. Call our project manager, Christie Manzo at (215) 964-7599 or e-mail her at cmm5244@psu.edu for further assistance. We are dedicated to providing the utmost quality in our service and hope to work with you in the future!

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Appendix: Works Cited

Works Cited 1. Community Health Data Base (2008). Retrieved March 26, 2009, from http:// www.phmc.org/chdb/uploads/datareports/2008%20Slides%20v3%20-% 20For%20Distribution.pdf 2. How Much Physical Activity do Children Need? (2009). Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html 3. Jenkins, N. L. (2004). Grant helps Neshaminy School District fight student obesity. Bucks County Courier Times. Retrieved March 20, 2009, from http://www.mailarchive.com/bike@list.purple.com/msg00796.html 4. Johnson, A. (2006). School-based BMI Screening to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Retrieved April 7, 2009, http://www.shapeup.org/about/arch_news/ nl0207.html 5. Kotranski, L., & Axler, F. (2006, November 8). Obesity Among Adolescents: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go?. Retrieved March 26, 2009, from http:// www.phmc.org/chdb/uploads/datareports/APHAPHMCobesity.pdf 6. Letters to Parents Regarding Screening (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2009, http://doh.sd.gov/ SchoolWeight/Screeningletter.pdf 7. Neshaminy School District (2009). Retrieved April 7, 2009, http:// www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us/neshaminy/site/default.asp 8. Smith, S. (2009). Taking the measure of youth obesity; Mass. follows Ark. screening program. Boston Globe, p. B1. Retrieved March 20, 2009, from http:// ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http:// proquest.umi.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/pqdwe (1661340411).

Appendix: Works Cited

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9. Taking Care, Giving Back (2006). Retrieved March 20, 2009, from http:// www.stmaryhealthcare.org/documents/ Public/2006CommunityHealthAnnualReport.pdf 10. The Challenge of Childhood Obesity (2008). Retrieved March 20, 2009, from http:// www.rwjf.org/files/research/20080601healthyschoolsneshaminy.pdf 11. U.S. Census Quickfacts (2008). Retrieved March 25, 2009, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/ qfd/states/42/42017.html

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Appendix: Primary Investigator Bio

Primary Investigator Bio My name is Christie Manzo and I am a junior The Pennsylvania State University (University Park). As a Commercial Recreation Management major and a summer camp counselor, this topic is particularly interesting to me. I can personally see the decline in physical activity within todays youth compared to even my generation. Many children would much rather be inside lying on the couch than running around outside with their peers. This has translated into a obesity epidemic among children and with it, the subsequent health problems. Being a Neshaminy alumnus myself, the school district has a special place in my heart, so the fact that a little less than 20% of the students are obese is very disturbing to me. I have done much research on the topic and am well learned on the programs that have been launched all across the United States, so I am familiar with what has and has not been successful. It is my belief that a program that addresses the main factors of obesity could be effective and very successful given an adequate amount of support from administrators. By addressing obesity in a preventative, and educational, and a practical method, childhood obesity could be contained. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I hope to continue my efforts towards curbing the childhood obesity epidemic by consulting with schools and community organizations.

Appendix: Budget Spreadsheet

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HEALTHYKIDS 2009-2010 BUDGET


Cost

Project Leaders' Salary & Benefits Mark Schmidt, director of physical education department (20 percent time) Jan King, senior physical education teacher (10 percent time) Major Participants' Salaries & Benefits 3 Training Consultants for ongoing sessions (75 hours @ $25/hour) 14 School Nurses (10 percent time) Staff and Assistants 4 Secretaries (10 percent time) Physical Education Teachers (10 percent time) 10 College Interns (unpaid, given college credit) Materials BMI Software Package Nutrition Literature (books, videos) Promotional Materials (pamphlets, newsletters) Additional physical education materials (equipment) Travel Expenses (for travel among district schools) Local Mileage for Consultants: 300 mi/mo @ $0.17/mi x 12 mos. Local Mileage for Project Leaders: 100 mi/mo @ $0.17/mi x 12 mos. Communications & Dissemination 10,000 Parent Notification Letters (150 reams of copy paper @ $3 each + 5 ink refills @ $40 each) Postage Evaluation 2 Evaluation Consultants for 3 consultations (20 hours @ $50/hour) Survey Materials Testing Materials for Nutrition Tests (scantrons, paper) Indirect Costs 13400 7000 ~5625 56000 10000 ~55000 0 450 6500 1000 2500 612 204

650 600 6000 300 2000 1000

TOTAL COSTS

168841

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Appendix: Timeline of Events

Timeline of Program Events

06/29/2009

Introduction of Program to the Board and Faculty Members Outline of Program for the 09/10 School Year to Faculty Implementation of Program Forum for Mid-Year Evaluation of Program Forum for End-Year Evaluation of Program Committee Meeting to Devise Necessary Changes Outline of Changes to Program Implementation of Revised Program

08/24/2009 09/01/2009 12/14/2009

06/28/2010

07/05/2010

08/23/2010 09/01/2010

Appendix: Sponsor Info

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Sponsor Information: Neshaminy School District

COMPANY INFO: The Neshaminy School District covers 27.6 square miles in historic Bucks County, PA (northeast of Philadelphia). Neshaminy is an Indian name, a reminder of the Lenape Indians who lived along the Neshaminy Creek. Primarily a residential district, Neshaminy has 14 schools servicing 9,200 students from the boroughs of Hulmeville, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, and Penndel, and the townships of Lower Southampton and Middletown.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Neshaminy community empowers students to become productive citizens and lifelong learners. Neshaminy - We build futures!

VISION: The Eight to Remain Great Student-Success Centered The overarching understanding of the Neshaminy School District is that District success is tied to student success. Each decision that the District makes should be benchmarked with how it can contribute to student success. 1. Observe and take initiative 2. Understand what success is for students 3. Recognize and validate diversity and equity 4. Seek measurable outcomes and results 5. Believe that all can learn and be successful Continuous Learning Organization A continuous learning organization reflects on its practices to determine if what it is doing remains the best practice for success. Innovative and out-of-the-box thinking is considered along with traditional thinking. 1. Embrace reflection (challenge assumptions) 2. Willing to share and listen actively 3. Maintain a safe environment to take risks and be creative

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Appendix: Sponsor Info

4. Collaborative decision making 5. Be prepared Informed Communication Information is a source of power in any organization. The Neshaminy School District recognizes that long term success is more likely when all are active participants. Accurate and available information is necessary to empower all to strengthen the District. 1. Research based actions 2. Gather accurate and comprehensive information (understanding impact of laws, regulations or policies) 3. Communicate to strengthen, empower, and foster respect and trust 4. Utilize process driven methods 5. Share information continuously Efficient Excellence School districts are challenged to appropriately balance the conflicting forces of maximizing student achievement while minimizing the impact on taxes. 1. Plan thoroughly and clearly (including an understanding of sustainability) 2. Focus on excellence, then efficiency 3. Plan for respectful transitions when change is necessary 4. Understand the nature of costs and seek the best return on investment 5. Define priorities clearly Committed and Engaged Staff The Neshaminy School District is a service organization in which people play the most important part for long term success. It is critical to hire the best people and to develop their strengths . Staff members contribute by strengthening themselves and strengthening the District.

Appendix: Sponsor Info

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1. Establish and maintain clear job expectations 2. Look for top talent and hire the best people 3. Seek out diversity 4. Engage proactively in the strengthening of the culture 5. Commit to strengthening oneself, others, and the District Support and Professional Development In addition to individual staff members showing their commitment to the vision, the Neshaminy School District needs to show their commitment to staff through investment and encouragement. By making available resources, robust training, and constant support, staff will best be able to bring students to desired successes. 1. Establish clear goals for growth 2. Differentiate support 3. Provide clear and comprehensive communication 4. Strengthen the workforce 5. Focus on quality, not quantity Community Support The Neshaminy School District is the largest part of the larger community. The School District contributes to the climate and value of the community, and the community contributes to the success of the School District. 1. Support financially and culturally 2. Encourage Board participation in the vision 3. Support students 4. Maintain and model high expectations 5. Actively listen and resolve issues through defined channels Parental Support Students are dramatically influenced by peers, culture, the Neshaminy School District, and their families. A collaborative partnership between the District and the parents increases the likelihood for students to make good decisions in an increasingly competitive and challenging period of time. 1. Develop partnership in supporting students

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Appendix: Sponsor Info

2. Maintain an active interest in students lives 3. Support the efforts of the District to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment 4. Maintain and model high expectations 5. Actively listen and resolve issues through defined channels

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