Healthy Futures Project: A Community Based Obesity Prevention Program

SWITCH: Rationale, Design, and Implementation of a Community, School, and Family-based Intervention to Modify Behaviors Related to Childhood Obesity

The purpose of this research is to increase community awareness about the relationship between physical activity, screen time, and nutrition and how these factors influence healthy weight management.

The problem of obesity is at epidemic proportions and has become the most important public health problem confronting the United States today. Of greatest concern is the 300% increase in obesity rates among children and youth over the past twenty years. Childhood obesity is a precursor of adult obesity.

The Switch™ Program is a unique community and family-based behavior change initiative that helps motivate children to change three critical health behaviors that are risk factors for childhood overweight and obesity. Through community education, family-based strategies and partnerships with schools, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are encouraged to: Switch what you Do™ Switch what you View™ Switch what you Chew™.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All children in 3-5 grades who provide parental consent and child assent will be eligible to participate in the project.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who meet the following exclusion criteria will not be considered for participation.
• Do not provide consent
• unable or unwilling to adhere to project procedures