PHS Research Component
Project Healthy Schools (PHS) includes a research component designed to study the program’s effects on lifestyle, markers of cardiovascular risk, and obesity. Data from behavioral questionnaires and optional health screenings show important improvements in middle school students’ self-reported health behaviors and physiologic measures.
Results to Date
Over 75,000 sixth graders in nearly 100 schools in Michigan have participated in the program. Of these students, over 23,000 have been part of our research, including 3,000 students who participated in optional health screenings. Research results demonstrate that this program has improved the health of the students it has reached.
- 71% of students indicate, by standardized questionnaire, that they are changing their behaviors in a favorable way.
- Behavioral highlights from post-program survey results from the 2017-2018 school year show that students increased fruit and vegetable consumption; decreased sugary food and beverage consumption; decreased TV and video game screen time; and increased physical activity.
- Physiologic screenings show improvements in measures such as serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, blood sugar, and measures of fitness.
- Low/middle income communities’ children are at higher risk based on obesity rates and physiologic measures, but appear to benefit even more from the program.
- Among all schools, children at highest risk, based on risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol, seem to get the most benefit.
- Benefits appear to be sustained, not just after the five-month intervention, but also at the end of years one, two and three post-PHS.
Michigan Clinical Outcomes Research and Reporting Program (MCORRP)
The goal of Michigan Clinical Outcomes Research and Reporting Program (MCORRP) is to improve the quality of cardiovascular care at Michian Medicine, in the state of Michigan, and throughout the United States and world. This will be accomplished by studying common cardiovascular conditions and procedures among large populations; developing modern mathematical tools to assess risk and outcomes; promoting evidence-based care models which incorporate best science into care itself by targeting physicians, nurses, and patients.
MCORRP will extend its reach by presenting and publishing scientific results at regional, national and international meetings and in peer-reviewed publications as well as by partnering with regional and national organizations for win-win solutions to overcoming barriers to providing quality cardiovascular care. Finally, MCORRP is committed to creating a vibrant, rigorous, diverse, and collegial research environment which promotes the investigative development of students, house officers, fellows, and junior faculty.
Presentations and Publications
- Top 10 Lessons Learned from Project Healthy Schools. American Journal of Medicine.Published in American Journal of Medicine, August 2017.
- Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Health Behaviors between Black and Non-Black Students Participating in a School-Based Health Promotion Program. Published in American Journal of Health Promotion, EPub ahead of print October 25, 2016.
- Changes in School Health Program Improve Middle School Students’ Behaviors. Published in American Journal of Health Behavior, September 2016.
- Sustained Benefit over Four-Year Follow-Up of Michigan’s Project Healthy Schools. Published in American Journal of Public Health, December 2015.
- A University Health System Partners with Community Schools to Focus on Health and Wellness. Published in American Journal of Medicine, August 2014.
- A Middle School Intervention to Improve Health Behaviors and Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Published in American Journal of Medicine, October 2013.
- High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in a Cohort of 6th-grade Children: Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Lifestyle Behaviors. Published online in Pediatric Cardiology October 2013.
- Recovery Heart Rate: An Indicator of Fitness Among Middle School Children. Published in Pediatric Cardiology August 2013.
- Gender differences in Physiologic Markers and Health Behaviors Associated with Childhood Obesity. Published in Pediatrics, August 2013.
- Sustainable Practices within a School-Based Intervention: A Report from Project Healthy Schools. Published in World Medical and Health Policy, December 2012.
- School Intervention Incorporates Farm to School Programs to Highlight Healthy Eating: A Report form Project Healthy Schools. Published in Childhood Obesity, December 2012.
- A Public School District’s Vending Machine Policy and Changes over a Four-Year Period: Implementation of a National Wellness Policy. Public Health (2012), doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2012.01.007.
- Understanding Childhood Obesity in America: Linkages between Household Income, Community Resources, and Children’s Behaviors. Published in American Heart Journal 2012; 163:836-43.
- Health Status and Behavior Among Middle School Children in a Midwest Community: What Are the Underpinnings of Childhood Obesity? Published in American Heart Journal, December 2010.
- Childhood obesity: A Comparison of Health Habits of Middle-School Students from Two Communities Published in Clinical Epidemiology, August 2009.
- A School-Based Health Education Program Can Improve Cholesterol Values For Middle School Students Published in Pediatric Cardiology, September 2008.
- Project Healthy Schools: A School Based Health Education Program to Prevent Childhood Obesity Published in Agro FOOD Industry High-Tech Journal, September/October 2007.
PHS has presented five abstracts at national conferences in 2018. The abstracts include:
- Identifying the Prevalence of Project Healthy Schools Children at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Syndrome. 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine/ New Orleans, LA, April (Poster).
- Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Adolescent Hypertension. American College of Cardiology 2018 Scientific Sessions/ Orlando, FL, March (Poster).
- Physiological Outcomes Based on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Adolescents. American College of Cardiology 2018 Scientific Sessions/ Orlando, FL, March (Poster).
- Trends in Mobile Device Usage, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Screen Time in Project Healthy Schools Students. American College of Cardiology 2018 Scientific Sessions/ Orlando, FL, March (Poster).
- Project Healthy Schools: Empowering Youth to Make Lifelong Healthy Choices. 28th Annual Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference/ San Diego, CA, March (Oral Program Description).
Questions about our research?
If you have any questions or comments about past or future research that PHS and MCORRP have done, please feel free to reach out to our research coordinator, Rachel Krallman.
