H.D. Woodson Senior H.D. Woodson Senior High School High School

“Warriors for Healthy Living” “Warriors for Healthy Living”

District of Columbia Department of Health Maternal and Family Health Administration

Purpose of the ProjectPurpose 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 District of Columbia Demographics, 2000Demographics, 2000

• 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)

The District is the home of a very diverse population, with many different age and ethnic groups comprising the population.

Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity, Obesity and Lack of Physical Activity, United States vs. District of United States vs. District of

Columbia, 2001Columbia, 2001

10.5

31.2

14.6 1513.6

56.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

United States District ofColumbia

Overweight

At Risk of BeingObese

Insufficient PhysicalActivity

Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States 2001

The Obesity Epidemic in Adolescents: The Obesity Epidemic in Adolescents: Adolescents Reporting Being Overweight, Adolescents Reporting Being Overweight,

United States vs. District of Columbia United States vs. District of Columbia 1999-20011999-2001

9.910.5

12.3

14.6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1999 2001

United States

District of Columbia

Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States 1997,1999, 2001

Five Leading Causes of Death in the Five Leading Causes of Death in the District of Columbia, 2000District of Columbia, 2000

39.339.541.3

232.3273.7

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Heart Disease Cancer Hypertension CerebrovascularDisease

HIV/AIDS

Cause

Ra

te (

pe

r 1

00

,00

0 p

op

ula

tio

n)

District of Columbia State Center for Health Statistics Administration, 2003

H.D. Woodson Senior High H.D. Woodson Senior High School Area DemographicsSchool 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: Woodson Wellness Center: Services OfferedServices Offered

Immunizations

School physical exams

Laboratory testing and referral

Individual and group counseling

Nutrition and education counseling

Health promotion and education sessions

Woodson Wellness CenterWoodson 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 Woodson Warriors for Healthy Living InterventionWarriors for Healthy Living Intervention

Four Phase Program

I. Chart Review and Student Survey

II. Student Focus groups

III. “Warrior” Sessions

IV. Student Evaluation

Woodson Woodson Warriors for Healthy Living GoalsWarriors for Healthy Living Goals

•To spread and promote awareness

•To positively influence knowledge and attitudes

Phase IPhase IChart Review and Student SurveyChart 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 IIPhase IIStudent Focus GroupsStudent 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 IIIPhase III“Warrior” Sessions“Warrior” Sessions

Nutrition

Cooking Right,

Eating Right

EnrichmentBody Image: The Mirror ALWAYS Lies

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:

Exercise

Dance Your Way to Fitness

Phase IVPhase IVStudent EvaluationStudent 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 Woodson Warriors for Health Living Finish LineWarriors 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 Woodson Warriors for Healthy Living Contact InformationLiving 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

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

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