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| PARTNERSHIPS & PROJECTS YOUTH FITNESS & OBESITY INSTITUTE |
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The Youth Fitness & Obesity Institute was established in 2001 with funding ($233K) from the Department of Health and Human Services to address the physical activity and nutrition needs of children and adolescents particularly in rural settings. This institute provides the foundation for research and development activities designed to address the growing concerns related to youth fitness levels and childhood obesity.
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Activities conducted during the initial year of operation comprise the Physical Activity and Nutrition Among Rural Youth" (PANARY)project, which included the following components:
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Professional development training and technical assistance for school physical education teachers.
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Development, procurement, and dissemination of healthy eating and physical activity resource materials to school administrators and program providers.
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Conducting school based needs assessment and behavioral research focusing on physical activity and eating habits of youth.
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Thirteen school districts across Iowa and over 2,000 youth were directly involved with Institute activities during the first year of operation. Additional activities have been directed towards establishing an infrastructure and creating a network with other agencies/institutions within the state that support the Institute's mission.
For FY 2003, the Institute received notification that $700K was appropriated from the federal government to continue the PANARY project and create two new projects titled, The Rural Iowa Preschool Movement Startup Project, and The Nutrifit Experience: Healthy Lifestyles for Young Children.
The Institute plans collaboration with the Global Health Corps, the Freeburg Early Childhood Center, and Iowa schools/early childhood education centers to conduct these program activities.
The Institute will continue to seek external funding from federal agencies and private/public corporations to provide support for existing and newly proposed projects related to the Institute's mission.
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