Implementation of the Healthy LifeStars LifeStar Challenge

Abstract

Childhood obesity continues to rise globally with the potential for serious consequences to a child’s physical and mental health. Childhood obesity has an alarming economic impact equating to an average of 173 billion dollars annually spent for obesity-related healthcare. To address the risk for childhood obesity, this Quality Improvement (QI) project objective was for second graders receiving the healthy habit 12-lesson program to have a 10 percent increase in healthy behaviors and beliefs four weeks post completion. Implementation strategies utilized the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model, a consistent coach, and a mindfulness exercise prior to starting each lesson. One hundred and fifty second-grade students across three Ohio school districts participated in the QI project. Before the initiative started, each teacher was oriented to the intervention, implementation plan, and 12-lessons. The project objective was evaluated through the self-reported Healthy Lifestyle Belief Scale and the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale tools. A pre and post survey design was utilized to assess students' health behaviors and beliefs about healthy lifestyles. Findings indicate a small effect size in two areas of behavior amongst all three schools: 0.25 "I exercise on a regular basis" and 0.3 "I do healthy things to cope with my worries and stress" which suggest clinical significance and a shift towards improved health behaviors and beliefs. Elementary A demonstrated a 7.5% increase in healthy behaviors. This QI project illustrates the school nurse's unique position as a leader in school health to successfully initiate an intervention addressing childhood obesity while increasing the overall health and wellness of all students.