Addressing Childhood Obesity

Healthier kids today mean healthier adults tomorrow.

Healthy Schools Healthy Communities

In 2013, we established the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) initiative to address childhood obesity through prevention efforts in select areas. HSHC brings together schools, community organizations, businesses, parents, and residents to identify and advocate for changes that increase access to healthy food and physical activity where our kids live, learn, and play.

Why it matters:

Missouri is one of the heaviest states in the country, with 35 percent of adults obese and 31 percent of children ages 10-17 overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is a strong predictor of adult obesity; it increases risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, is estimated to decrease a person’s lifespan by an average of 2-5 years, and it leads to significant economic costs to the individual and our state.

How we’re changing things:

The Healthy Schools Healthy Communities initiative supports partnerships between schools and community organizations in order to make it easier for kids to eat healthy and be active. Today there are 13 HSHC collaborations across Missouri creating healthy opportunities for kids in the classroom, on the playground, at home, and throughout the community.

View our full HSHC Toolkit

To support school and community leaders across Missouri, we have created the online Healthy Schools Healthy Communities  toolkit. This toolkit features resources originally created for the Foundation’s HSHC grantees.

Learn more about HSHC

Eldon Elementary School implemented a wellness committee action plan to address food offerings. Working through Healthy Schools Healthy Communities, they received funds to cover the installation of three salad bars.
13 Collaborators
are participating in HSHC and creating healthy opportunities for kids in the classroom, on the playground, at home, and throughout the community.
31 Child Care Centers
in HSHC communities are participating in the Eat Smart, Move Smart program with a goal of increasing physical activity and nutrition standards.
32 School Districts 30,000 students
participated in Schools as the Hub for the 2014-2015 year. This program funds a school district wellness coordinator to develop and organize committee action plans.
86 areas of improvement
increased number of weekly PE classes, installation of new tracks/playgrounds, weight room revamps, daily breakfast policies, installation of water bottle stations, installation of salad bars.

HSHC Contacts

Kathleen Holmes

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

(314) 345-5572

kholmes@mffh.org