The Theory

What Actually Works to Change Behavior?

The United States Preventive Services Task Force 2010 Recommends > 26 hours of face-to-face time with a trusted health care provider over 2 to 12 months to achieve behavior change

Currently: 30 minutes annually with pediatrician per year

2017 Update: We must go beyond the traditional clinical model!

Policy Reality

  • Healthy school lunch options

    • Incomplete buy-in from students
    • Lots of waste
  • Increased mandatory physical education minutes

    • Anything is progress… but it’s usutally not enough physical activity (1/4 the amount of recommended activity for a child)
    • Competes with academic time
    • Little supervision, not enough gym teachers, little space
  • Introduction of Health Curriculum

    • Most states — no standarized curriculum
    • Limited access to health teachers
    • Little time in the already-full curriculum