Corunna/Owosso School Spring 2010 Update
Memorial FIT Kids Spring 2010 Update
Memorial FIT Kids, a program supported by Corunna, Michigan’s Memorial Healthcare Foundation, is partnering with PHS to move middle school students towards healthier lifestyles. In the 2009/2010 school year the program has grown beyond Corunna Middle School to include, Owosso’s Bryant Elementary and St Paul’s Catholic School. All the 6th grade students participate in 10 interactive, educational and fun PHS activities and they benefit from environmental changes at their school. Students with parental consent participated in two health screenings during the school year.
What is Memorial Healthcare saying about FIT Kids?
Results
Post-program screening results for the 2008/2009 school year based on 97 sixth graders, indicate that the program is working. A trend toward lowering LDL (lousy) cholesterol, increasing HDL (healthy) cholesterol and a significant trend in lowering resting heart rate was noted. Overall, the Corunna Middle School data is consistent with the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti school data, indicating that the program is effective in lowering total cholesterol and lipid levels.
Students are also making behavioral changes, such as reporting that they are eating more fruits, choosing to eat French fries and cookies less often and that they are spending less time in front of a computer or video.
Food Service Changes
In the 2008/2009 school year, the Corunna Schools Food Service Director worked with the program facilitator to identify healthier food choices available to Corunna Middle School students. Whole grain pizza crust and chicken nugget breading is used plus they do not fry any foods. Fruit and vegetable options are available at each meal. Soda pop is not available in the school vending machines or lunch line.
More About:
Cathy Stevenson is the Community Resource Liaison for Memorial Healthcare and she leads the program.
Becky Dahlke, the Memorial FIT Kids facilitator, coordinates and teaches PHS activities.
More information about Memorial Fit Kids
