The Battle Creek (MI) Schools Healthy Lifestyles Program

Abstract:
This article describes how one area developed a comprehensive health promotion and education project with active community involvement despite severe fiscal restrictions. Published in a special edition of the Journal of School Health on comprehensive health education issues, the article first recounts how the participating districts collaborated with local community organizations, academic institutions and corporations to coordinate health promotion activities. Using a community task force, the project concentrated on various health risk factors, e.g. physical fitness, nutrition, substance abuse, and stress management. To determine a baseline at the beginning of the project, third, sixth, and ninth grade students were evaluated for knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and some aspects of wellness. The project stressed that educators and parents serve as healthy role models for students. Problems cited included the presence of too many substance abuse groups and expectations of rapid change.

Author(s): WILLIAMS, Paul; and KUBIK, Judy

Publication: Journal of School Health (JOSH), Vol. 60, pp. 142-146


Date Published: 4/1/1990

Pages: 5

Location Code: 11013