Meno Bimaadziwin - Healthy Weights Project

Objectives of the Healthy Weights Project

To reduce childhood obesity in off-reserve Aboriginal children aged 0-6 years by:

• Developing awareness and support for this project and the work to be done via focus groups, Steering Committee and input from key informants;
• developing age-specific and culturally appropriate materials and messaging resources (COPR&TK), for off-reserve Aboriginal children (aged 0-6) and their families, that will reduce childhood obesity and maintain healthy weights, based on a needs assessment;
• Reviewing, adjusting and reinforcing existing key documents/guidelines to create simple, common, consistent messages for childhood obesity prevention;
• Providing training and associated supports to CAPC/CPNP program staff using the COPR&TK in order to increase their knowledge, confidence and expertise in age-appropriate, effective physical activity promotion;
• Working with partners to establish policies/programs that support obesity prevention, healthy eating, physical activity, effective marketing strategies and sustainable practices that will support decisions and activities promoting healthy weights through life transitions.

The Necessary Steps to Get There

1. Identify key community partners via the focus group process i.e. Child care centres, schools, community centers, community organizations, and begin to establish partnerships/collaborate with them. From this group will emerge a Steering Committee for the Healthy Weights Project.
2. Develop, pilot test and administer a Needs Assessment to a select and representative sample of CAPC sites (via Steering Committee) to determine what age-specific and culturally appropriate resources and training are needed by front line staff to increase their knowledge, confidence and expertise in this area.
3. Analyze the data from the Needs Assessment.
4. Review existing documentation, guidelines and policies as they pertain to obesity prevention and culturally appropriate messaging.
5. Develop age-specific and culturally appropriate materials and messaging for off-reserve Aboriginal children aged 0-6 and their families that will promote health literacy, and the reduction in obesity, as well as healthy choices and behaviours that will lead to sustaining healthy weights in this population.
6. Assemble childhood obesity prevention resource and training kit (COPR&TK.
7. Pilot test the resources and training kit at three CAPC sites: urban, rural, remote.
8. Based on the outcomes from pilot testing the COPR&TK, review, evaluate and revise the resource/training kit accordingly.

About the Meno Bimaadziwin Logo

The logo design for this project is based on some key elements of the overall Meno Bimaadziwin: Healthy Weights Project.

The figures in the centre represent the community supporting the child in the middle – including the adult and the elder. The radiating lines under the child represent the child developing into his/her healthy weight. This portion of the logo is filled in with the four-direction colours of the Medicine Wheel to show the strength in the culture.

The outer portion is an eagle that is traditionally regarded as a messenger. The eagle is also part of the protection of the community and show unity. The eagle is holding the KA:NEN wampum belt, tying together the circle created by the eagle.

The tail feathers of the eagle are interwoven creating a basket motif. This represents basketry inherent in the culture, but more importantly the offering of food and care.

By Elliot Doxtator-Wynn

Project Updates

Resources

For more information regarding this project please contact Alta at Ka: nen Our Children Our Future