PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Let’s Move Uptown! was a three-year planned initiative that ran from 2011 to 2013 with financial support from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The program aimed at decreasing obesity among Asian American children and adolescent youth in the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood through informational, behavioral, and social approaches. This multifaceted program included: (1) the development and implementation of youth sport programs aimed at physical activity in youth and healthy food intake, and (2) a community-wide social media campaign that highlighted the importance of a supportive family healthy environment for encouraging healthy behaviors among youth.

TARGET POPULATION:

Asian American youth in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood

PARTNERS: 

• Uplift Community High School
• Vietnamese Association of Illinois
• Northeastern University
• Windy City Crossfit

PROGRAM GOALS:

• Decrease overweight and obese Asian American youth
• Improve the nutrition and diet of Asian American youth
• Enhance the self-esteem and body image among Asian American youth

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

HOPSCOTCH was designed to bring about sustainable environmental change to promote and support the adoption of policies and practices that encourage healthy eating and physical activity in local schools. There are two main initiatives within this program: (1) Healthy Schools Initiative - local school partners in Chinatown created “Wellness Committees” with the goal of developing a school action plan that prioritized four key policy areas around nutrition and physical activity, and (2) a Community Walkability Initiative - local youth in Chinatown conducted walkability assessments of key routes utilized by youth and developed a data brief based on the findings.

TARGET POPULATION:

Asian American youth in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhoods of Armour Square and Bridgeport

PARTNERS:

• Armour Elementary School
• Haines Elementary School
• Healy Elementary School
• Henry Booth House
• Project Vision
• Ward Elementary School

PROJECT GOALS:

• Increase healthy food options and physical activity in schools and after-school programs through school wellness policies and after-school program standards
• Increase physical activity and active transportation use through street designs that accommodate all forms of transportation (including walking and biking) and safe access to parks
• Create awareness of and support for these initiatives through advocacy and data to inform policy.