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Year Awarded: 2007
Project Leaders:
Joseph J. Carlson, Radiology, Division of Sports Medicine; Karin Pfeiffer, Kinesiology; Deborah Feltz, Kinesiology; Lorriane Weatherspoon, Food Science Human Nutrition; Scott Sehnert, Radiology, Division of Sports Medicine; Joanna Steele; Rita Klavinski, Calhoun County Extension
Project Description:
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, poor diet quality and inactivity are rapidly increasing among children in the United States. The development of CVD risk factors are linked to premature health problems in young adults and early death in adulthood. To diminish this trend, Michigan State University (MSU) faculty, staff, medical students and undergraduate dietetic and kinesiology students, will partner with elementary public school health and physical education teachers and MSU Extension to develop a cost-effective sustainable model for CVD risk factor prevention and management. This partnership will augment the existing health, nutrition and physical activity curriculum for 5th grade students to: 1) improve the public school students' knowledge, attitudes and confidence about nutrition, physical activity and heart-health; 2) increase the numbers of students achieving national recommendations for physical activity and nutrition; and 3) improve the students' CVD risk factor status. Additional aims are to: 1) provide applied hands-on learning and training for MSU health profession students; 2) enhance the quality and effectiveness of the public school physical education and health curricula; and 3) promote parental support for children to achieve their nutrition and physical activity goals. MSU faculty and Extension staff will oversee MSU students in a partnership with teachers including involvement in monthly lesson plans, and small discussion groups. Also, MSU students will serve as mentors/case managers to several 5th grade students to facilitate the achievement of their heart-health goals during monthly visits, and through a web-based heart-health education, communication and behavioral monitoring program.
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