In 1992, a heart disease task force, part of the Lake County Health Coalition, determined the need to inform students about ways to prevent heart disease.  Lake Health piloted the program in spring, 1993 at Redbird Elementary School in Madison. Targeted to 83 third graders, program information supplemented education given by the classroom teacher specifically on the importance of exercise and healthy eating behaviors.

This multi-site program targets pre-adolescents, selected for early intervention because they are at a critical developmental stage for understanding health knowledge and learning skills.

Currently the Healthy Heart program is educating students at Perry Local Schools, Mentor Public and Painesville City School districts.

PROGRAM GOALS

The Healthy Heart School Program uses a multi-component approach.

Nutrition information highlights the importance of increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet, using MyPyramid, making low-fat choices, and interpreting food labels.

The exercise component focuses on the importance of recognizing the physiology of the heart, the benefit of regular cardiovascular exercise and teaching students how to take their pulse.

Nutrition lectures are conducted by a licensed, registered dietitian and an exercise physiologist conducts the exercise lectures. A certified smoking cessation educator teaches the fifth graders the hazards of smoking.

Over the past 15 years, the Healthy Heart School Program has resulted in significant improvements in knowledge of healthy lifestyle behaviors, nutrition education, and physical activity for more than 11,000 students.

If you would like more information on the Healthy Heart School Program, contact 440-350-4512.