http://www.panaonline.org/
The Epidemic
61% of Pennsylvania adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
23% of non-Hispanic white adults, 38% of non-Hispanic black adults, and 24% of Hispanic adults in Pennsylvania are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
27% of low-income children between two and five years of age in Pennsylvania are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC PedNSS, 2002)
The obesity rate among Pennsylvania adults increased by 92% from 1990 to 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)
Program Priorities
The Pennsylvania Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan to Prevent Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases was developed by a multi-disciplinary group of stakeholders and released by the Department of Health in February 2003. An initial outcome of the planning process was the creation of the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA), a statewide, multi-sector coalition that will coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the state plan. The vision of the plan is to promote a Pennsylvania that supports and values healthy lifestyle behaviors.
The seven regional networks of PANA provided a channel for identifying 365 Keystone Healthy Zone Community Champions who play a key facilitative role in promoting Keystone Healthy Zone Campaign.
Five interventions are currently underway:
The Keystone Healthy Zone Campaign’s aim is to recognize schools for their efforts in creating environments that promote physical activity and sound nutrition. Classroom materials and teacher training are provided.
The Color Me Healthy Program is a pilot intervention for preschool children in collaboration with the state Departments of Education (Division of Food and Nutrition, Family Literacy Center) and Public Welfare, the American Cancer Society, Head Start, and the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network. The goal of the collaboration is to offer an age-appropriate educational curriculum to childcare centers, Family Literacy sites, and Head Starts throughout Pennsylvania that exposes children, parents, teachers, and caregivers to the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
The School Growth Screening Program is a tool to see if school-aged children are underweight, at risk of becoming overweight, or overweight using the CDC Growth Chart based on BMI-for-age and gender-specific percentiles using measurements obtained by school nurses.
The Obesity Prevention Project tests nutrition and physical activity strategies to prevent obesity in the rural town of Brockway. This pilot intervention is a school-based initiative with input from a community-driven stakeholder group. The focus is the prevention of childhood obesity, with the specific goals of developing healthy eating patterns and physically active lifestyles in young people using a social marketing approach.
The Southwest Philadelphia Obesity Prevention Pilot Project aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity through activities and social marketing campaigns in an elementary school, a neighboring recreation center, and the surrounding community.
Partners
American Academy of Pediatrics Pennsylvania Chapter
American Heart Association, Pennsylvania Delaware Affiliate
Capitol Blue Cross
Bois Regional Medical Center Regional Health Group
Geisinger Healthcare System
Health Alliance of Pennsylvania
Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Highmark Blue Shield
Northeast Region Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pennsylvania Food Service Association
Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network
Pennsylvania Planning Association
Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants
Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
Pennsylvania State University
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
Recent Accomplishments and Products
Three contracts and 15 mini-grants have been awarded for state and local implementation of the state plan.
Information and awareness presentations were made for 19 national, state or local agencies and organizations.
A health, wellness, and quality-of-life objective was added to the Pennsylvania Bike and Pedestrian Plan, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Training was provided for 365 Keystone Health Zone Community Champions.
A Regional Strategy with National Implications (with Highmark Blue Shield) was crafted in partnership with High Mark Blue Shield to provide a Childhood Obesity Forum.
The 2004 Pennsylvania Action For Healthy Kids Summit at Pennsylvania State University was held in Harrisburg.
The 2004 Pennsylvania Action For Healthy Kids Summit at Pennsylvania State University was held in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) training.
Upcoming Events and Products
Training will be offered on the impact of land-use and transportation decisions on public health.
The Growth Screening Program for Pennsylvania's School Age Population will be implemented voluntarily in kindergarten through third grade in 2004-2005; mandatory sc ning will be conducted for children in kindergarten through third grade during the 2005-2006 school year.
Project Period: 2003–2008
Year First Funded: 2001
Funding Stage: Basic Implementation
Contact Person:
Kevin A. Alvarnaz
Chief, Cardiovascular Health Section
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Phone: 717-787-2957
Fax: 717-772-0608
Email:
KAlvarnaz@state.pa.us
Web site:
www.health.state.pa.us* and
www.panaonline.org*
Data Sources
CDC BRFSS — CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
CDC PedNSS — CDC’s Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System
CDC YRBSS — CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obes...nnsylvania.htm