Current Projects

Cardiac Kids

Cardiac Kids is a local after-school nutrition and physical activity intervention designed for fourth and fifth graders. Researchers and staff involved include Knox County Schools; Coordinated School Health; University of Tennessee’s College of Nursing and Department of Nutrition; SPIFFY; TNCEP; United Healthcare; and Mercy Health Partners. The program utilizes components of nutrition, physical activity, and parental involvement, and the primary objectives of the program are to change eating and physical activity behaviors in the promotion of a healthy weight. Past implementations of the program show improvements in nutrition knowledge, weight status, and physical fitness, and future implementations will place an increased emphasis on involving parents.