Conference Abstract Compendium Examples from the ... - CityMatCH

2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership Conferenceto participate. Teams perfect five to eight minute routines around a health message. Throughout the year,teams have the opportunity to compete against the other local teams as well as teams from neighboringcommunities and states. This friendly competition keeps the students interested and dedicated to theirteam.Health ambassador students collect baseline surveys are on each youth as well as baseline healthassessments. This information is recollected at the end of the academic year and aggregate data iscompared. Changes in knowledge and fitness level are documented for the participants.Because of the changing ages of the participants, Body Mass Index will not be used as the primarymeasure for success. Instead, the complete fitness assessment will be done, which gives each student anoverall fitness score. Improvements in these scores will be used to determine success. In addition, thebaseline health knowledge survey and the follow up will be used to determine the effectiveness of thehealth education sessions. Preliminary data is indicating a significant increase in knowledge as a result ofparticipating in the program.ACCOMPLISHMENTS/RESULTSPreliminary data shows a significant increase in exercise tolerance for the youth as well as increasedattempts to make healthy decisions around nutrition and to avoid risky behaviors such as cigarettesmoking.INFORMATION FOR REPLICATION• Resources are from a $250,000, state diabetes prevention grant• Key partners include government public health and parks/recreation, academic institutions and not forprofits120