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It Takes A Village: A Community Effort Curbs Obesity

Imagine if an entire community joined together in the fight against childhood obesity. Schools offer healthy pizzas and cheeseburgers on whole grain buns, with all the fruits and vegetables a child desires. Classroom lessons include interactive taste tests to show kids that healthy eating can taste good. The town itself joins in the effort, creating a guide to getting outside in the community and enlisting its restaurants to serve healthy food.

What would happen if everywhere a child went the message was the same: eat healthy and get moving?

Schoolchildren in Somerville, Massachusetts, are learning the answer. The town of 78,000 just outside of Boston has been the subject of a community-wide intervention called Shape Up Somerville, aimed at curbing childhood obesity. Researchers from Tufts University lead the project, which is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The revolutionary community-wide offensive against childhood obesity is working: during a typical school year, Somerville kids gained about one pound less than kids in neighboring communities, who were not part of the study. Lead researcher Dr. Christina Economos told the Wall St. Journal that this seemingly small dent in weight gain “could be the difference between a child graduating [from high school] overweight and graduating at a normal weight.”

Shape-Up Somerville’s community-wide effort included the schools, the parents and the town in promoting healthy living:

  • The town repainted faded crosswalks with a reflective paint to encourage more walking and crossing guards were stationed at routes children were most likely to use to walk to school, part of a “Walk to School” program.
  • The town holds an annual “Shape-Up Family Fitness Fair” and has produced a guide to outdoor activities in Somerville.
  • At last count, 21 Somerville restaurants were certified “Shape Up Approved,” offering healthier menus, with smaller portion options, low-fat dairy and more dishes with fruits and vegetables.
  • Elementary schools changed their school lunch program to reduce refined and processed foods and, using a portion of the CDC grant, purchased refrigerators to offer more fruits and vegetables. In the 2002-2003 school year, the food service department spent $90,000 on fresh produce; in 2006-2007, that figure had increased to $160,000, according to the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
  • Parents are mailed monthly newsletters, including coupons for healthy foods and simple ideas for getting active.

For more information, contact Children in Balance at www.childreninbalance.org.