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Feb 10, 2012

School of Nursing, LAUSD get middle schoolers moving

Kynna Wright-Vogel 2
Funded by a $1.2 million grant, Kynna Wright-Volel, assistant professor and Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Faculty Scholar, the UCLA School of Nursing and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) have launched Project SHAPE LA, a coordinated school-health program to increase physical activity among youth in L.A. schools to address the problems of overweight and obesity. The program targets 24 middle schools in underserved areas and will touch nearly 12,000 students.
 
"As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I see the health consequences when children are overweight or obese," said Wright-Volel. "Research shows school-based programs supported by collaborations among universities, schools, businesses and parents can decrease obesity and obesity-related behavior. We believe Project SHAPE LA will do just that."
 
According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, one in five children in LAUSD is considered obese. Obesity during childhood has immediate consequences, including hypertension, high cholesterol and the development of metabolic syndrome, as well as psychosocial problems such as low self-esteem and poor body image. If left unchecked into adulthood can lead to a variety of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.
 
For more information, see this UCLA Newsroom story.