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APPLE Schools

Alberta Project Promoting active Living & healthy Eating in Schools

News
September 11, 2009
The APPLE Schools June 2009 Report has been released. Click here to view it (5.8MB, .pdf format).

Why are we doing this work?

Overweight and obesity is a worldwide problem. In Canada, about 1 in 4 children is overweight and 1 in 13 is obese. Overweight children often become overweight adults who are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

The school setting can positively influence the lifelong physical, social, and mental health of students. In 2006, the World Health Organization found that school-based health promotion programs most effective at changing behaviours were those focused on positive social behaviours, physical activity, and healthy eating. There is a need to determine what practices and programs best support the development of healthy school communities in Alberta.

Healthy school communities promote wellness and strive to create environments that foster lifelong health and wellness. The approach used to create active, healthy school communities is often referred to as the health-promoting school approach - the Alberta Project Promoting active Living & healthy Eating in Schools (APPLE Schools) will follow this approach.