Service Learning Project Ideas

  There are many ongoing efforts to help prevent childhood obesity and these changes are having a positive impact on this issue. Many schools have been changing the types of food that are being sold in the cafeteria and vending machines. Governor Deval Patrick’s bill that was signed last year is definitely creating these changes in schools. We feel that childhood obesity is a still a problem, but people are beginning to realize the consequences of the issue and are taking steps necessary to help prevent it.

              

  For our service learning project, we have thought of a few places to do volunteer work. First, the Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Weight (http://www.mphw.org/index.htm) is an organization that aims to prevent obesity by promoting ways to live a healthy lifestyle. For example, the organization lists various locations across the state where adults and children can participate in physical activities. Christina Nordstrom is the Acting Director, and her contact information found on the website is:

Christina NordstromActing Director
Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit
Bureau of Family and Community Health
MA Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street , 4th floor
Boston , MA 02108 -4619
Phone: (617) 994-9859
Fax: (617) 624-5075
Email: christina.nordstrom@state.ma.us

  

 The YMCA is a place we are definitely interested in volunteering at. This organization has made plans to fight childhood obesity, such as through their Healthier Communities Initiatives, which aims to provide places for children to be active. More information can be found at http://www.ymca.net/news-releases/20100827-childhood-obesity-awareness.html

We contacted the Peabody YMCA ( http://www.peabodyymca.org/main.php) by e-mail regarding volunteer opportunities for our service learning project.

They can be contacted by e-mail at:

 info@peabodyymca.org

Or by phone at:

978-977-YMCA (9622)



(Photo taken from: http://rlv.zcache.com/prevent_childhood_obesity_poster-p228109605353984748t5ta_400.jpg )