Tinapa Himathongkam

Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Effective Are School Health Programs? Tinapa Himathongkam

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Coordinated School Health Program model in reducing childhood obesity rates using state level data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) for the years 1994, 2000, and 2006. I measured the effectiveness of school health policies including routine BMI screening, joint activities between health education and food service staff, staff training on nutrition, staff training on exercise, certifying health educators, prohibiting sale of junk food, limiting access to vending machines, whether schools teach about nutrition in class, and whether schools teach about exercise in class. Demographic differences including race, education, income, health coverage, and adults? smoking habits were controlled for. Requiring BMI screening and providing training in nutrition for school staff yielded statistically significant results. I provided policy implications and recommendations.