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BC Place – Session 3, Tuesday, May 30, 2006 from 10:30 – 12:00
Abstract Title: Making It Happen – Healthy Eating in Schools in BC
Presenting Author:
Rola Zahr
Nutrition Educator
BC Dairy Foundation
3636 Beta Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 4K4
Additional Authors:
Lisa Forster-Coull
Provincial Nutritionists
Healthy Living / Chronic Disease Prevention
BC Ministry of Health
4th Floor, 1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3C8
Sydney Massey
BC Dairy Foundation
Debbie Leach
Consultant
BC Ministry of Health
1st Floor, 1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3C8
Objective:
To evaluate and improve the effectiveness and reach of the Making It Happen toolbox, a three-phase project designed to build capacity among school communities. The toolbox includes three videos and a website on school nutrition policy and practices.
Methods:
• An ongoing project between the BC Ministry of Health, BC Dairy Foundation and Knowledge Network.
• A Public Relations campaign included direct mail flyers and order forms to the target audience and press releases to community media and stakeholders in early 2005.
• A focus testing by a research firm measured the effectiveness of website tools.
• The Dairy Foundation interviewed those who ordered videos to determine their effect.
Results:
• Knowledge Network contributed over $300,000 air time for the videos, monitored website traffic and feedback from viewers.
• Presentations, posters and bookmarks were featured at conferences of teachers, parent advisory committees, school trustees, principals and vice-principals.
• BC Dairy Foundation, DASH and Dietitians of Canada developed a partnership that led to cross-promotional materials featuring the Making it Happen URL.
• Feedback from Phase 1 and focus testing were used to improve website navigation and include new resources such as the 2005 “Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools.”
Conclusion:
Further research is required to evaluate the project’s effectiveness for building capacity among school communities.