Project IPAL: Enhancing the Well-Being of Elementary School Children

In Louisiana, 33% of adolescents and 28% of children are overweight or obese (Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, 2011). It is projected that as many as 24,000 more children in Louisiana may become obese by 2020 if the trend continues (Broyles et al, 2011). Researchers have identified several strategies to address overweight among youth, but more work needs to be done in our classrooms to teach university students the skills necessary to become real-world ready for working with children and adolescents who struggle with weight management.