Annika: Teach 2500 at-risk kids fitness, nutrition

Summary

Our goal is to reach out to educators in low income public schools with a high rate of childhood obesity and with limited resources to teach their students the importance of physical fitness/nutrition

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

1 in 3 children in the US are either overweight or obese, due to the lack of physical fitness or poor nutrition habits. It is estimated that the childhood obesity epidemic costs the US health care system over $100 billion annually. The ANNIKA Foundation has teamed-up with the SPARK curriculum to teach children the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. For this project, we have identified elementary schools in Florida which have the greatest need for this curriculum.

How will this project solve this problem?

SPARK provides a coordinated package of research-based, highly active physical education/activity curriculum, on-site teacher training, extensive follow-up support for each school, and expert selected, content-matched equipment.

Potential Long Term Impact

Over 45 publications have documented short and long-term positive SPARK effects such as: Academic Achievement, Increased physical activity in students, Fitness achievement, Sport Skills development, and Enjoyment of PE

Project Message

Your program is absolutely wonderful. We have had the best time. The kids and teachers are enjoying the classes, P.E. has become an important and joyful part of the schedule, and the parents love it.
- Maureen Newell , Principal Tierra Bonita Elementary School

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources