Fighting fat: New school-based initiative will help teens and pre-teens develop healthier eating and physical activity habits

Four North Carolina school-based health centers have been awarded Students Eating Smart and Moving More (SESAMM) grants as part of the N.C. Division of Public Health’s (DPH) obesity prevention efforts. The $25,000 grants will provide interventions for students ages 10-19 and their families from January 2006 through May 2007 in Buncombe, Durham, New Hanover and Yancey counties.

“We will avoid negative messages and focus totally on fun, healthy behaviors that students will enjoy and want to continue after the program ends,” said Michelle Futrell, a DPH registered dietitian who is coordinating the program.

Up to 25 student volunteers at each school will be selected to participate in the 18-week program, which includes nutrition screening, individual counseling, and group sessions conducted by a registered dietitian. Interactive, after-school group sessions will provide education and skill-building in both nutrition and physical activity. Students will prepare and taste healthy foods, develop media literacy, practice decision-making skills, and choose fun physical activities that can become part of a healthy lifestyle.

Each health center will also hold five sessions for parents of SESAMM students and other interested community members to build home, school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. The adults will learn about eating smart at home; eating smart on the run; moving more every day, everywhere; and reducing time spent watching TV or playing computer games.

“Most students have little or no access to a nutritionist,” Futrell said. “SESAMM will provide students with nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian and peer interaction to encourage behavioral changes. Including families in the program expands kids’ opportunities and support for developing better eating and activity habits,” Futrell said.

The grants are being offered initially as pilot programs in these four school-based health centers but may later be adapted for schools having strong Coordinated School Health Programs and community support.

“Among North Carolina children, the rates of both overweight and risk of overweight exceed the national average,” Futrell said. “In 2004, over 27 percent of children seen in North Carolina public health settings were overweight, and an additional 18 percent were at risk for overweight. Childhood overweight can lead to serious health consequences, particularly as overweight children become overweight adults.”

“The best time to start building healthier habits is in childhood. The best places to do that are in the home and at school,” she added.

Receiving the SESAMM grants will be Buncombe County Health Department’s Health Center at Erwin Middle School; Lincoln Community Health Center at Hillside High School in Durham County; Wilmington Health Access for Teens’ Health Center at Lakeside High School in New Hanover County; and the Toe River Health District’s Health Center at East Yancey Middle School in Yancey County.

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Last Modified: December 6, 2005