The following select programs have been included to demonstrate impacts on addressing childhood obesity: Grant Programs Work to Play Urban Initiatives’ flagship program Work to Play (WTP) is designed to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. WTP runs throughout the school year in two, 12-week sessions. Each week consists of three program sessions: two before- or after-school practices and one after-school game against another Urban Initiatives school. Each session includes at least an hour of exercise through soccer activities, a health or character trait discussion, and a nutritious snack. WTP aims to achieve three primary objectives: increase participants’ physical activity; increase participants’ knowledge of health topics; and influence participants’ eating habits. WTP program was successful at engaging children and teachers and reducing children’s body mass index (BMI) over the course of the program.
Pilot Light Pilot Light’s mission is to empower all children with the knowledge, attitude, and skills they need to have healthy relationships with food. Pilot Light partners with schools to provide students with health and nutrition education and teachers with professional development. Pilot Light partnered with Ray Elementary and Montessori School of Englewood to provide: (1) 16 lessons each for grades 3, 4, and 5; (2) professional development and on-site support for teachers; (3) two chef visits to each participating classroom; (4) one “lunchroom takeover” per school, where the Pilot Light Chefs develop and serve a school lunch that connects to the lessons students learn in their classrooms as a way to extend learning to the cafeteria; and (5) two educational family workshops at each school.
Community Benefit Evaluation Report 2016–2019
19
UChicago Medicine