Triumph Series
TRIUMPH Overview
TRIUMPH (Trends, Resources and Inspiration for Understanding and Maintaining Physical Health), series sought to discover local programs that succeeded in promoting health and wellness.
Though our work on TRIUMPH, we uncovered key components that successful programs share:
- Programs for at-risk populations must be culturally relevant;
- For kids, programs must be fun;
- Physical activity integrated with nutrition best teaches the concept of energy balance;
- Programs increasingly focus on kids, but can positively impact all age groups;
- For adults, the workplace is a good environment to trigger behavior change;
- A champion for the cause makes a difference.
Other Key Takeaways
Other critcial findings, including the need to teach kids about nutrition and physical activity in tandem, led to the creation of the Healthy Schools Partnership (HSP). . The ACFN Foundation in partnership with PE4Life and the American Dietetic Association Foundation launched the Healthy Schools Partnership, a pilot program in Kansas City in 2007 that blends nutrition education on energy balance with physical education. The program uses interactive methods to teach children the calories they eat must balance with the calories they expend. Staffing Registered Dietitian nutrition coaches, to work alongside with PE4Life physical education teachers is unique to the program and models many of the premier fitness centers in the nationHSP aims to create a “wellness culture” within the school, teaching kids how diet and activity matters to the whole person.