1. A Regional Project of the RHP Medicaid Transformation Waiver Southern Obesity Summit Presentation Julie Gardner Extension Specialist – Community Health Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

2. Grow Into Health Program Relevance:
In Texas, over 30 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 are overweight; 47 percent of those are Hispanic, 26 percent African American, and 23 percent white.
Kids who are obese are at increased risk for heart disease, prediabetes, bone/joint problems, sleep apnea and social/psychological issues.
Preventative interventions which promote healthy eating and physical activity can lower the risk of obesity and chronic disease.
Schools can be vital to establishing a supportive environment for behavior change.
Grow Into Health satisfies the regional project need of the RHP Medicaid Transformation Waiver Program.
Centers for Disease Cotnrol (2015). Childhood obesity facts.
Retrieved from

3. Program Overview
Curriculum: Eight week school based intervention implemented within the PE classroom
Target: 5th Grade Students in school district within the 7 county region
Goal: To deliver key messages related to health, nutrition, and physical activity to encourage behavior change in order reduce the risk of childhood obesity and chronic disease
TEKS: Addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills required for PE classes in regards to health education
Assessment Tools: Utilizes a required Pediatric Quality of Life Survey, as well as, pre- and post-assessment tools to assess health behaviors

4. Curriculum Overview
Delivery Method: Eight week curriculum with the following lessons
Smart Fitness
Make MyPlate
Get in the Zone
Label Lingo
Fit vs. Fat
H2O…the Way to Go
Half Your Plate
The Balancing Act
Curriculum also includes Homework Logs, Family Fact Sheets, and expansion activities.

5. Results Year Students Campuses 2014-2015 827 15 2015-2016 1328 29
Consumption of orange and green vegetables increased.
Consumption of sugary drinks decreased; prior to the program, students indicated they drank in excess of 2 soda per day as compared to less than 2 post program.
Water, flavored water, and milk consumption increased.
Students quality of life improved in specific areas.