CHAMPLAIN HEALTHY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN INITIATIVE


 

 

           
 

 

Background

The Champlain Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Network (CCPN) recognizes the significant issue of overweight and obesity facing our children and youth today and is committed to taking action. 

The Champlain Healthy School-aged Children (CHSAC) Initiative, one of the CCPN’s six priority initiatives, is focused specifically on the physical activity and eating behaviours of school-aged children across the Champlain region.

Health and community partners have come together to lead this important work.

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Foundational Activities

The following activities were completed in 2007 to lay the foundation for our work together:

Parental Attitudinal Study

A phone-based survey (n = 1940) was conducted in June 2007 among parents and caregivers of children aged 4 to 12 across the Champlain region to better understand parental attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions surrounding childhood obesity and the physical activity and eating behaviours of children and youth. Findings of the study would be used to inform the development of a parent communication campaign (now known as the Know More Do More campaign). For more information, please refer to the resources below.

Policy Scan

A scan of existing policies related to physical activity and healthy eating across the nine Champlain region school boards was completed in September 2007. Click here for a summary of findings.

Literature Review

A comprehensive literature review of community-based obesity interventions was completed in the summer of 2007 to learn more about leading practices in tackling overweight/ obesity across entire communities. Click here to view a copy of the report.

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Champlain Summit

In October 2007, the CCPN in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, co-hosted the Champlain Summit. Over 85 delegates representing the nine Champlain school boards, four public health units, recreation, health care, and community settings attended the full-day event in Ottawa to begin the dialogue on how to collectively tackle physical activity and healthy eating behaviours of children and youth. Participants were provided the opportunity to initiate discussions, share successes, identify potential areas for collaboration, and begin the action planning process. For more information, please refer the resources below.

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Our Strategy

Based on the findings of the activities undertaken in 2007, we developed a region-wide strategy targeting home, school, and community environments. 

Vision:

Healthy eating and physical activity are part of our children and youth’s daily habits in the Champlain region.

Mission:

Health and community partners will come together and take action to improve the health status of children aged 4 to 18 living in the Champlain District.  This will be achieved through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach targeting home, school, and community environments.

Goals & Objectives (long-term):

  1. To address the rising trend in overweight and obesity among school-aged children in the Champlain District;
  2. To engage children and youth in more quality daily physical activity (emphasis on movement); and,
  3. To improve eating habits and encourage healthy food choices among school-aged children.

Strategy (four action areas):

  1. Create progressive, supportive school policies across the nine Champlain School Boards (The Champlain Declaration);
  2. Develop a regional communication campaign to promote healthy eating and physical activity (Know More Do More);
  3. Develop an evaluation tool for tracking progress (i.e. Champlain Report Card); and,
  4. Facilitate opportunities for skills development among teachers, parents, children, and youth.

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Our Partners

Health and Community

School Boards

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