Action For Healthy Kids

2009

Action for Healthy Kids

www.ActionforHealthyKids.org

The Child Health Crisis

• 32% of American children (12 million+) are overweight or obese

• Over the last 30 years, the percentage of overweight children has nearly tripled

• Only 2% of school-age children consume the recommended daily servings from all food groups

• Only 4% of elementary schools offer daily PE• Today’s youth may become the 1st generation in

100 years to have a lower projected life expectancy than their parents


The Impending Economic Crisis

• During 2006, medical spending attributable to obesity was estimated at $86 billion and the annual medical burden of obesity could be as high as $147 billion per year (in 2008 dollars)

• Medical spending for the obese is $1,429 higher per year (42% higher) than for someone with normal weight

• Dating back to 1995, it was estimated that 39.3 million workdays were lost annually to obesity-related causes

– In addition, obesity was responsible for 239.0 million restricted-activity days, 89.5 million bed-days, and 62.7 million physician visits

• According to the CDC, chronic diseases account for 70% of the $1 trillion in annual U.S. healthcare expenditures


The School Opportunity

• Improve the quality of school foods;

• Enhance nutrition education;

• Improve and increase physical education; and

• Increase physical activity for kids.

Action for Healthy Kids helps school districts and schools, especially those in underserved communities:

16th U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher AFHK Founder


Action for Healthy Kids Model

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Last year, we reached 1,100 school districts, 8,000 schools and 3.7 million kids!


Building a Nationwide Movement

> 11,800Volunteers

in 51 Teams

Successful Programs across the

U.S.

65 National Partner

Organizations


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Our Development & Growth

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100001100012000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 YTD

Total AFHK Volunteers by Year

Action for Healthy Kids started with a handful of members in 2002. We’re now more than 11,800 strong, including 19% growth during 2008-2009. This grassroots network is the only one its kind in the U.S.


SchoolStakeholders

Students

CommunityStakeholders

Parents

Campaigning for School Wellness by

Building Family-School-Community

Partnerships

Campaigning for School Wellness


Programs, Services and Resources• Programs

– Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge

– Students Taking Charge– ReCharge! Energizing

After-School

• Services– Coaching to schools,

teams and communities

• Resources– Mini-grants direct to

schools– Expert reports

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Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge

Evidence demonstrates that Game On! improves knowledge, behavior and attitudes for eating healthy food and being physically active.

A year-long program that challenges America’s youth, their families and schools to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives.


Students Taking Charge•Engages youth leaders in high schools

• Introduces youth leaders to the power of advocacy and empower them as effective change agents in school communities

•Drives real and sustainable change in the school health environment

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ReCharge! Energizing AfterSchoolFour core concepts:

– Energy In– Energy Out– Teamwork– Goal-setting

2009-2012 plans:

• Expand distribution with 7,500 kits over next 3 years

• Will Reach 50,000 2nd- 6th graders and their families


Local Teams • New Hampshire

– Annual trade show for school nutrition services – ReCharge! training – Run, Pedal, Paddle – Fuel Up to Play 60

• Maine– Network connecting statewide work

• Massachusetts – Students Taking Charge – ReCharge!– Parent outreach – Annual legislative breakfast

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New England Regional Network

• Spring 2009 Kick-off – Advisory Council

• Six New England State Teams– CT, NH, RI, ME, MA, VT

• Creating an infrastructure and movement – Sharing resources and networking – Volunteer recruitment – Parent outreach – Spring 2010 event

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Action For Healthy Kids GoalsFrom 2009-2012, Action for Healthy Kids will

support…

4,500 school districts25,000 schools 10,000,000 kids

…with resources, programs and services to improve nutrition and physical activity policies, practices and outcomes. That’s 1 out of every 5 schools.

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Our Strategic Plan1. Support school wellness

nationwide, especially in underserved communities

2. Raise awareness of issue and advocate for change

3. Expand needed infrastructure to promote sustainable change

4. Deliver quality programs and services through our school health model

5. Conduct effective fundraising and resource stewardship


“Action for Healthy Kids is unique because it zeros in on schools’ needs at a local and district level, and helps schools individualize their efforts according to the needs presented.”

Mindy Frejkowski, school nurse, Chillicothe, OH

Why Our Model Works

Health & Medicine

Action For Healthy Kids