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Featured Project : US National Health Fitness Project |
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| Home » Featured & Projects » US National Health Fitness Project |
Since 1933, Strang Cancer Prevention Center has been based in New York City. Strang is dedicated to cancer research and prevention and the oldest cancer prevention institute in continuous operation in the United States.
Obesity, long known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, is now documented as a major risk factor for certain cancers, especially among underserved populations.
Strang recognizes the need to address the high obesity rates and lack of physical activity among our nation's children, particularly those in urban areas. Strang is working to address the barriers that must be overcome to help families improve the nutrition and fitness habits of children.
"Our goal is to promote a replicable nationwide program, Healthy Children Healthy Futures, for children and parents to become advocates - through their schools, families and communities - for healthy eating and increased physical activity," said BJ Carter, executive director of children's programs for Strang.
Strang and MetLife Foundation joined forces in 2001 to implement the Healthy Children Healthy Futures children's after-school program, intended for underserved young people, ages 9-13, in several of our country's larger urban areas - Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and New York. A parent component was added in 2003 and launched in the five cities.
Enter AnimAction
AnimAction was invited into this prestigious partnership and joined Strang's HCHF children's program as the Media Training Partner. HCHF is based on the 8 Habits of Healthy KidsTM, children learn to become advocates - through their schools, families and communities - for healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Young people are offered a process and a forum to advocate healthy food alternatives and physical activities for their peers primarily through media messaging. The messages, by and for children and in the format of posters, radio, and animated public service announcements (PSAs) are reviewed by peers and then disseminated to large numbers of children through a variety of school-based and community-based networks.
A trained after-school facilitator guides children through the seven basic phases of the Healthy Children Healthy Futures program:
• 1.Snacks and Physical Activity
• 2.Getting Started
• 3.Media Literacy
• 4.Developing Messages
• 5.Creating Media
• 6.Recognition Celebration
• 7.Parent and Community Participation
Young people who participate in Healthy Children Healthy Futures in after-school settings:
• Learn The 8 Habits of Healthy KidsTM and the skills to incorporate the Habits into their lifestyle.
• Increase their awareness and knowledge of healthy eating and physical activity concepts.
• Work in teams to produce healthy eating and physical activity media including print ads, radio spots, and animation.
• Use program resources to communicate with peers, families, and communities about healthy eating and physical activity.
• Have their efforts and media products recognized in a meaningful way and rewarded.
• Provide parents and family members with the 8 Habits of Healthy KidsTM information.
Children obtain:
• Knowledge, attitudes and skills to make healthier lifestyle choices for themselves.
• Skills to become advocates for healthy eating and physical activity at their schools and in their communities.
• Increased technology awareness and skills through the use of media and animation production.
• Critical thinking skills and practice, through an interdisciplinary approach, at improving their academic performance in language arts, math, technology and media literacy. US National Health Fitness Project
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