HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY: HEALTH PROMOTION IN AFTER SCHOOL CARE

PURPOSE: With the increased prevalence of childhood obesity, and the fact that most overweight children retain their overweight status into adulthood, there is a need for health promotion in children to prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with long term inactivity and obesity. The purpose of the Health and Wellness Day was to provide health promotion education in a fun, interactive format through an after school care program for elementary school children and their parents. It was felt that by targeting the younger children, lifelong healthy habits can be initiated, hopefully maintained, and childhood obesity and inactivity decreased. DESCRIPTION: Health and Wellness Day was a primary intervention project to promote health and wellness among elementary school age children designed and implemented by physical therapy graduate students as a community service and learning project. Fifty-six children and their parents participated in an after school program of health promotion consisting of instruction in nutrition, importance of exercise, functions of muscles and bones with exercise, and the importance of overall lifelong physical activity. Program information was provided in an interactive fun format of crafts, games, and relay races. Health information packets were given to each child's parents as they were picked up from the after school program. OBSERVATIONS: Although this was a one-day project, it serves as a template for continued health promotion programs through after school care programs. Participants surveyed thought the program was fun and that they would try and be more active. Parents were appreciative of the health education resource material packets. CONCLUSION: Due to the increasing obesity and inactivity of elementary school age children, programs such as the Health and Wellness Day serve to help improve the health status of this at health risk cohort. The Health and Wellness Day provided a creative and dynamic venue for students to provide service through community and university collaboration.
Cornely H, Behar R, Dillon H, Espinal R, Othon J, Patten M, Sanchez D. Florida International University, School of Health, Dept of Physical Therapy, Miami, FL, [...]