According to a recent report by the State Journal, the West Virginia University Health Sciences & Technology Academy recently received a grant worth $125,000 by the Benedum Foundation to expand its health education regarding obesity.
"This is a new concept that HSTA has never really tried to capture," Ann Chester, HSTA program director, told the State Journal. "The state is going toward a train wreck in terms of obesity and all the medical complications they’re going to suffer."
The program will help students change their families' eating habits, especially in terms of the food they purchase at grocery stores, the report stated. The grant will provide two professional development retreats for teachers and HSTA leaders to determine how to influence their students regarding the dangers obesity poses.
Officials at HSTA may want to consider utilizing high-end technology to improve their outreach to students regarding obesity. Equipment such as classroom projectors, laptops and interactive whiteboards could enhance the education process further.
“We think we’re on to a cheaper way to develop health and health literacy than through doctors," added Chester. "It’s prevention, not health care in the traditional sense."
