Partnership to Increase Health Education in School Sites

In San Bernardino County, two out of three adults are considered overweight or obese according to a statewide survey¹ and two out of five students (grades 5, 7 and 9) are considered overweight or obese².  A lack of nutrition and physical education in schools possibly contributed to the problem of overweight and obesity³.

Our department staff partnered with schools to train teachers to facilitate nutrition and physical activity education with students. Teachers were trained using the curriculum “Harvest of the Month." The curriculum included PowerPoint presentations, videos and in-class activities (including food tastings).

The goal was to partner with 100 qualifying school and afterschool sites to train teachers to implement curricula in the classroom that increases the nutrition and/or physical activity education offered to students by September 30, 2017. A site list was used to track the schools that staff partnered with. Teacher-trainings and students that received nutrition and physical education were tracked. 

Educating students on nutrition and physical education helps solve part of the problem. Parents should also receive nutrition and physical education so they are better equipped to provide healthy meals for their families. Our staff is available to conduct nutrition and physical education with parents.

Visit the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education County Profiles.

¹UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey.

²California Department of Education, San Bernardino County Physical Fitness Report. 

³Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education County Profiles