Project Healthy Schools is a middle-school based program (originally developed by the University of Michigan in 2004) that is designed to reduce childhood obesity and its long-term consequences. The program encourages life-long healthy habits through education, environment change, and measurement. Commit to Fit, a community-wide health behavior improvement program that is
now being utilized by over 340 different organizations in Genesee County, has created a new partnership program with Project Healthy Schools. Together, the GFHC’s Commit to Fit! Project Healthy Schools Program provides middle-school focused education and environmental change that is evidence-based, while offering health resources, incentives an interactive behavior tracking website, and much more to middle schools.
Commit to Fit! Project Healthy School Goals:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Be physically active at least 150 minutes each week
- Eat less fast and fatty foods
- Choose better beverages
- Spend less mindless time in front of a screen
As a part of Project Healthy Schools implementation in Genesee County/Flint, students are able to monitor their health behaviors via the Commit to Fit! website, www.commit2fit.com.
Goals emphasized are:
- Hands-on learning activities for 6th and 7th graders
- A Healthy Habits Commit to Fit! Challenge to encourage achievement of healthy goals and earn healthy incentives through a fun competition between classes
- School-wide wellness activities and events
- An end of year event with a focus on physical activity
- Healthier food service and beverage options
- Bulletin board displays promoting wellness
- Communication with staff and families
- Formation of a school wellness team
Project Healthy Schools was originally developed by the University of Michigan Health System. In Genesee County/Flint, the Great Flint Health Coalition has launched Project Healthy Schools in partnership with Commit to Fit at Grand Blanc West Middle School, Grand Blanc East Middle School, Carman Ainsworth Middle School, Armstrong Middle School, Mt. Morris, and St. John Vianney. Multiple local partners have also assisted with implementation.
If your school district is interested in implementing Project Healthy Schools, please contact the GFHC today via email at gfhc@flint.org, subject Project Healthy Schools.
