Nutrition Task Force History
2005-2006
The Nutrition Task Force focused
on supporting the Charleroi and Burgettstown school districts, which have
created coordinated school health councils (CSHC). A second school nurse
survey targeted this topic. Based on the information received and experience
of other counties, the task force has decided to hold CSHC trainings for
Washington County school districts.
In addition, since breastfeeding is a protective factor for obesity, the task force applied for a breastfeeding promotion mini-grant through the PA DOH.
2004-2005
The Nutrition Task Force focused on strategic planning during the fall of 2004 and included a survey of school nurses to determine interest in training on topics related to school health councils, eating disorders, and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements. With a positive response from the school nurses, the task force partnered with Melissa Emory-Gillo, a school nurse at the Trinity School District, to conduct a half-day workshop entitled, “Community Resources and The Growth Screening Program” during the Trinity School District-sponsored in-service in January 2005.
Presenters and topics included Kathleen Row from American Cancer Society on Coordinated School Health Programs, Maureen Smith from PA DOH on the rationale for the Growth Screening Program and community resources available, and Anita Sinicrope Maier from Pennsylvania Education Network on Eating Disorders (PENED) on sensitivity training and warning signs. Rosa Synder-Boyd and Judy Holtz of Community Action Southwest’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program led the hands-on BMI measurement training while Debbie Hutcheson and Linda Kolano from Monongahela Valley Hospital led the hands-on NutStat BMI computer graphing program training. Seven of the fourteen Washington County school districts were represented at the in-service, and all rated the workshop excellent.
The task force also prepared and provided a resource kit to each participant that contained a variety of materials the task force had either created or identified to help implement topics covered in the presentation. Created materials included: a parent brochure that explained what BMI was in non-technical terms; a school nurse resource brochure; a parent nutrition and physical activity resource brochure; a sample parent letter explaining the mandatory BMI measurements; and a sample parent letter explaining their child’s BMI results.
The task force will focus next on identifying pilot school districts
that are willing to create school wellness councils. In addition, since
breastfeeding is a protective factor for obesity, the task force is investigating
applying for a breastfeeding promotion mini-grant.
2003-2004
The Nutrition Task Force was organized but did not meet to begin planning. Members include representatives from: American Cancer Society, Canonsburg General Hospital, Community Action Southwest WIC Program, Family Health Council, Highmark, Monongahela Valley Hospital, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania Department of Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, The Washington Hospital Teen Outreach, a school nurse, an eating disorder advocate, a registered dietician, and a medical doctor.
2002-2003
The Board of Directors recommended that a Nutrition Task Force be created
to address issues of obesity and eating disorders in adults and youth.
This will be explored in the fiscal year 2003-2004.