Transcript Nutrition Habits among District of Columbia High

H.D. Woodson Senior
High School
“Warriors for Healthy Living”
District of Columbia Department of Health
Maternal and Family Health Administration
Purpose of the Project
To address the growing problem of obesity and
diminishing participation in regular activity
among adolescents. Identification of barriers to
proper nutritional and physical activity habits,
coupled with implementation of “mini” initiatives,
will aid the District in developing model programs
that will ultimately assist in reducing the
likelihood of adolescents developing preventable
chronic diseases in adulthood.
District of Columbia
Demographics, 2000
The District is the home of a very diverse
population, with many different age and
ethnic groups comprising the population.
•
•

572,059 total population
119,708 adolescents (21%)
between 10-24 years of age
62,480 adolescents (11%)
between 14-18 years of age
(high school age)
Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity,
United States vs. District of
Columbia, 2001
56.7
60
50
Overweight
40
31.2
30
20
13.6
14.6 15
10.5
10
0
United States
District of
Columbia
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States 2001
At Risk of Being
Obese
Insufficient Physical
Activity
The Obesity Epidemic in Adolescents:
Adolescents Reporting Being Overweight,
United States vs. District of Columbia
1999-2001
14.6
16
12.3
14
12
9.9
10.5
10
United States
District of Columbia
8
6
4
2
0
1999
2001
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States 1997,1999, 2001
Five Leading Causes of Death in the
District of Columbia, 2000
300
273.7
232.3
Rate
(per 100,000 population)
250
200
150
100
41.3
39.5
39.3
Hypertension
Cerebrovascular
Disease
HIV/AIDS
50
0
Heart Disease
Cancer
Cause
District of Columbia State Center for Health Statistics Administration, 2003
H.D. Woodson Senior High
School Area Demographics



Located in Ward 7
64,704 total residents
27.9% of residents
under the age of 18

Highest death rate
from heart disease

Highest death rate
from diabetes related
illnesses

3rd highest death rate
from hypertension
Woodson Wellness Center:
Services Offered

Immunizations

Individual and group
counseling

School physical exams

Nutrition and
education counseling

Health promotion and
education sessions

Laboratory testing and
referral
Woodson Wellness Center
Nearly 450 students receive services at the
Wellness Center each year. Of that 450,
about 40% are clinically obese.
CLEARLY, THERE IS A NEED FOR
INTERVENTION!
Woodson
Warriors for Healthy Living Intervention
Four Phase Program
I. Chart Review and Student Survey
II. Student Focus groups
III. “Warrior” Sessions
IV. Student Evaluation
Woodson
Warriors for Healthy Living Goals
•To spread and promote awareness
•To positively influence knowledge and
attitudes
Phase I
Chart Review and Student Survey

Woodson Wellness Center client records were reviewed for
various health indicators

Students were given a short, voluntary 5 question survey
regarding attitudes about healthy living, health behaviors,
and eating habits
Phase II
Student Focus Groups

1-2 focus groups

Wellness Center students will talk about
and plan programs they would like to see
addressing health, lifestyles, and physical
wellbeing

Engage natural and elected leaders at the
high school to become “warriors for
health” among their peer groups
Phase III
“Warrior” Sessions

8-9 breakout sessions throughout the year would occur once
a month during lunchtime

Results of student focus groups would be combined with
three focus areas: Nutrition, Exercise, and Enrichment
Some suggested topics for discussion are:
Nutrition
Cooking Right,
Eating Right
Exercise
Dance Your Way to
Fitness
Enrichment
Body Image:
The Mirror
ALWAYS Lies
Phase IV
Student Evaluation

1-2 student focus groups

Will talk about effectiveness of
program

Devise ways to change and expand
the program to include more
students and more effective
interventions
Woodson
Warriors for Health Living Finish Line
The Woodson Warriors for Healthy Living is a
unique program which places the focus on
the needs of the adolescents by allowing
them to shape the curriculum.
Woodson Warriors for Healthy
Living Contact Information
Deneen Long-White, Project Lead
Sally Lawrence, Project Co-Lead
825 North Capitol Street, NE, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5925
Acknowledgements

Marilyn Seabrooks-Myrdal, Maternal and Child Health
Officer, DC Department of Health

CityMatCH Data Use Institute 2002-2003

HD Woodson Senior High School Administration and Staff

HD Woodson Wellness Center Staff

District of Columbia Data Use Institute Team Members