Detroit Healthy Youth Initiative

Published

Created at: 2020-10-01 21:06:06

Brief description of the program: "The Detroit Healthy Youth Initiative provides students with the knowledge, opportunities and support needed to make positive changes in their food environment and choices. High school students engage in activities designed around the USDA dietary guidelines focused on eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; making healthy choices at fast food restaurants; controlling portion sizes; balancing caloric intake with energy expenditures; and, choosing low-fat snacks." Source: https://education.wayne.edu/health-community-impact/programs/detroit-healthy-youth-initiative

Focus areas of this engagement: K-12 Education; Health / Mental Health Inclusion / Access; Inclusion / Access

Community needs and community participation in assessing those needs.: "Sister Mariane Fahlman, OP, is Professor of Health Education at Wayne State University in Detroit – yet, she spends much of her time reaching out to younger students – predominantly high school students – to teach them to make healthy life choices..... Sister Mariane noted the vital importance of this health education, citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that in the past 30 years “childhood obesity has doubled in children ages six to 11 and tripled in those ages 12 to 19.” About 17 percent of youth are affected by obesity, she said. This increase in obesity is related to a decrease in physical activity among the youth, she said, explaining that U.S. guidelines call for 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily for youth and adults....... Students in Detroit – a largely minority population – also face obstacles to being more physically active, Sister Mariane said. Caucasian children rank highest in physical activity, followed by African American, Arabs, and Mexican-American youth. " Source: http://adriandominicans.org/News/Tag/detroit-healthy-youth-initiative

Resource Utilization

Additional Comments: Partners/Funders United States Department of Agriculture, Michigan Nutrition Network Community Outreach 11 Detroit High Schools, 28,169 students