Health Promotion in Elementary School Students

Miles J. Madelyn, University of Kentucky

This honors capstone project is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/honprog/37/.

Abstract

The following project was created to address the rising epidemic of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is caused by many factors such as genetics, metabolism, community and neighborhood design, diet, exercise, and short sleep duration (Center for Disease Control: Childhood Obesity Facts). Social determinants of health, systems of oppression, and stigma can all influence the obesity epidemic. These include but are not limited to social status, location, culture, age, sexuality, ethnicity, and race. These identities can influence affordability and access to healthcare and further contribute to the obesity epidemic. It is important to understand these issues as a future provider. A project was created to educate elementary school students in an aftercare program in an under-served community and to find ways to improve the aftercare program. The goal of this project was to educate the future generation about the importance of nutrition and physical education to help combat the obesity epidemic.