Coordinated Approach to Child Health

CATCH builds an alliance of children, parents, teachers, and school staff to teach skills and behaviors associated with maintaining healthy lifestyles.

 Participation in moderate-to- vigorous physical activity (MVPA).  Healthful eating habits with a low- fat and low-sodium awareness, and  Non-smoking.

CATCH P.E. is a developmentally appropriate physical education program which develops health related fitness, skill competency, and cognitive understanding about the importance of physical activity for all children.

CATCH P.E. instruction provides a variety of learning experiences which address the wide-range of student ability in physical education class. instruction provides a variety of learning experiences which address the wide-range of student ability in physical education class.

CATCH P.E. Content enhances movement skills, sports skills, physical fitness, social development, and subsequently promotes lifelong physical activity.

The health aspect of CATCH facilitates physical education by teaching the students to make healthy food choices.

GO foods contain the lowest amount of fat. Children are taught that GO foods should be eaten more often than SLOW or WHOA foods.

SLOW foods are higher in fat than GO foods and lower in fat than WHOA foods. Children are taught that SLOW foods should be eaten less often than GO foods and more often than WHOA foods.

WHOA foods are the highest in fat of the three groups. Children are taught that WHOA foods should be eaten less often than GO or SLOW foods. In addition, any of the Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) such as soda, gum, and candy are considered WHOA foods although they do not contain any fat.

CATCH provides an opportunity for an interdisciplinary curriculum that will allow the student to understand the cause and effect of the lifestyle they choose.

 Integration of the CATCH curriculum into all subject areas reinforces the importance of each aspect of student health and facilitates the understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.  As the students grow in this knowledge and understanding they will begin to feel a sense of control over their own destinies.