Healthcare Academy
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Summary
The Healthcare Academy (HCA) is a program designed to motivate youth to be engaged in physical activity and focus on nutritious eating habits, leading to healthy weight management and positive self-esteem. The aim is to achieve a reduction in childhood obesity, thereby decreasing risk factors associated with chronic diseases. HCA delivers an interactive education program that positively influences the physical and emotional health and behaviors of middle school-aged children.
The HCA healthy living sessions seek to diminish risky behaviors and improve positive attitudes. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase healthy behaviors, decrease obesity, and have a positive impact on the physical and psychological futures of participants.
The prevalence of childhood obesity for those aged 6–11 years increased from 6.5% to 17.0% in recent years, as reported by the CDC. An article in the Journal of Child Health and Human Development suggests obesity can relate to poor self-image. Demographic and cultural characteristics are contributors to the relationship between obesity and poor self-image.
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Background and Rationale
Obesity may place children at higher risk of being bullied. In a study of children aged 11–16, researchers found that overweight and obese girls (aged 11–16) and boys (aged 11–12) were more likely than normal-weight peers to be teased or made fun of and to experience relational bullying (e.g., to be socially excluded). Overweight and obese girls were also more likely to be physically bullied. Bullying can have serious consequences. (Janssen, Craig, Boyce, & Pickett, 2004. Bullying Among Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs, Stop Bullying Now!, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HRSA).
To challenge this epidemic, A. Reddix & Associates is partnering with organizations and individuals in the community to provide interactive wellness sessions to youth in an effort to decrease risky behaviors and improve attitudes leading to a more healthy and happy population. The Healthcare Academy healthy living sessions reflect popular media themes to creatively promote health awareness and well as demonstrate how healthy choices can be incorporated into their personal lives as youth.
It is the community’s responsibility to contribute to the overall mental and physical well-being of youth, so they can change their lifestyle and lead healthy, happy, productive lives in the future. A. Reddix & Associates is committed to developing public and private partnerships in the community to help achieve this goal.
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