AURORA | To promote healthier lifestyles and curb childhood obesity, Aurora Public Schools and the American Diabetes Association have teamed up to launch the “Project Power” youth initiative.
“Creating healthy habits, both through physical activity and choosing nutritious food, is such an important thing for our students to learn early in their lives,” Lacy Jolly, principal at Jewell Elementary School, said in a statement.
During National Move More Month, students at Jewell Elementary participated in the program during their third-grade physical education class, according to a statement from the school district.
When children learn to make healthy choices for their bodies, it helps them focus and perform better in the classroom,” Jolly said in a statement.
The no-cost diabetes risk reduction program, Project Power for youth, is a no-cost health promotion program for ages 5-12. It aims to slow the trajectory of childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and related complications, according to the statement.
“Using an outcomes-based curriculum, the program promotes making healthy food choices, increasing physical activity and building family and peer support,” the statement said.
Obesity affects about 125 million people in the United States, including nearly 20% of children and adolescents, the statement said, and obesity accounts for up to 53% of new cases of Type 2 diabetes each year.
Since 2021, Project Power has served more than 50,000 youth nationwide, the statement said.
“Through this partnership, and with the support of the Collaboration for Equitable Health, we are empowering students in Title I elementary schools with Project Power — helping young learners build healthy habits for a lifetime,” said Rene Gonzalez, director of health access and quality community impact at the ADA, in the statement. “Together, we are creating brighter futures and leveling the playing field for every child to thrive.”
Seven Aurora Public schools will receive six whole-child health lessons to be presented during physical education classes or health classes, which will reach approximately 3,200 students, the statement said.
“A 2024 Project Power for youth impact report found that nearly 70% of participants increased their knowledge around the recommended amount of physical activity and drank water four or more times than previously,” the statement said. “Nearly 80% of participants indicated the ability to exercise at least five times a week, and 75% were confident in their ability to choose fruit as a snack.”
The program includes a host of activities and projects including the “GO-SLOW-WHOA” tool.
“GO-SLOW-WHOA” is a tool children and families can use to guide healthy food choices, encouraging more GO foods than SLOW foods, and more SLOW foods than WHOA foods. This helps students understand which foods are best to eat rarely, sometimes, or often.
“GO” foods include whole-grain foods, non-starchy vegetables and fruits
“SLOW” foods include foods made from refined grains and full-fat dairy products
“WHOA: foods include: simple carbohydrates, highly processed foods, candy, and sugar-sweetened beverages
Information can be found online at diabetes.org/Project-Power
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