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Coordinated School Health (CSH) is a process which brings a school community together to teach children to be healthy for a lifetime. Effective coordinated school programs reinforce positive healthy behaviors throughout the day and make it clear that good health and learning go hand in hand.
CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) is a TEA approved Coordinated School Health Program designed to promote physical activity, healthy food choices, and prevent tobacco use in elementary and middle school aged children. By teaching children that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be FUN, the CATCH Program has proved that establishing healthy habits in childhood can promote behavior change that carry into adulthood.
The CATCH Program focuses on coordinating four components: the Eat Smart school nutrition program, classroom curriculum,a physical education program, and a family program. The coordination of health messages between these four component areas is critical to positively impact children's knowledge and behavior. For over 10 years CATCH has guided schools, families, and children in the process of being healthy. CATCH, the largest school-based health promotion study in the U.S., has demonstrated that behaviors such as eating foods high in saturated fat and physical inactivity can be changed.
“CATCH was the largest elementary school health study conducted in the United
States. It has repeatedly demonstrated that healthy eating and physical activity can
be positively changed. Our goal is to implement this effective program in every
elementary school in the United States, and turn the rising tide of child obesity.”
Dr. Steven Kelder, The University of Texas School of Public Health
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