1. The Positive Side of Obesity Prevention: Applying a positive youth development framework to obesity prevention.
Southern Obesity Summit
November 14, Houston, TX

2. What is a positive approach to obesity prevention?
Positive Youth Development framework
Focus on enhancing individual strengths and promoting positive outcomes
Assets not problems to solve
Whole child approach

3. The whole child multidimensional approach to obesity prevention
Wellness
Nutrition
Perspective
Physical Activity
Body Image
Relationships
Mission and Purpose
Competence
Belonging
Identity
Safety and Security
Resilience
Self-Care
Love of Self ™
Comprehensive wellness as obesity prevention
Wellness arch
Coordinated School Health initiative
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC)

4. Applying a positive obesity prevention approach
Direct student approach
Wellness Spotlights for elementary schools
Texas Education Agency approved semester courses
Middle and high school
Long-term intervention
6-12th grades

5. Results
From , there was an average of 8.5% improvement in BMI (6.8%, %, 7.6%)
Looking longitudinally,
1 year of programming resulted in 1.5% increase in healthy BMI
2 years of programming resulted in 2% increase in healthy BMI
3 years of programming resulted in 4.7% increase in healthy BMI
After a concentrated intervention involving a semester course in obesity prevention education, adolescents showed 6.7% increase in healthy BMI.

6. Contact information
Covenant BodyMind Initiative
Texas Tech University
Gregory D. Johnston, PhD, LPC
Linn Walker, RN, CWPC
(806)