What’s it going to take to turn childhood obesity around? How about adults age 55+ influencing children in grades K-5? Thanks to a national program model now offered in the greater Hartford, Connecticut area, 38 adults are volunteering their time through “CATCH Healthy Habits,” one of Community Renewal Team’s RSVP Program services. The 25 lessons, implemented over several weeks as an after-school or summer program, begin with seniors teaching youngsters nutritional values and how to make healthy choices. This education is followed by enjoying a healthy snack together and distributing a recipe to take home. The second part of the hour is spent doing exercise together. This intergenerational approach to healthy living offers mutual learning – big lessons for the little learners and fostering relationships with new adults who care about them; and senior satisfaction with giving back to the community and becoming aware of their own nutrition and being more active.

CATCH stands for a Coordinated Approach To Child Health and it is taking on one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges: 35 percent of people age 50+ lead sedentary lifestyles and 78 million adults – and 12 million children – are obese. CATCH rallies for prevention of chronic conditions and diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, some cancers, stroke, heart attack and sleep apnea. Additionally, stereotypes associated with obesity and teasing about body build have long been problems in K-12 schools. CATCH is effective because healthy behaviors are reinforced through a coordinated approach – classroom, cafeteria, gym class, after-school and hopefully, home.

The greater Hartford program started in 2012 and will operate through December 2013. To date, more than 200 low-income children have participated and the objective is to bring nutrition and “get moving” lessons home to their families. Connecticut program sites, offering various curriculum and age modules, include: Hartford and Manchester public schools (5), the Hartford Boys & Girls Club and a Latino Academy’s youth collaborative. Due to the program’s popularity with the children and RSVP network, the Community Renewal Team is committed to retaining and growing CATCH beyond the grant period. Recruitment of volunteers remains ongoing and schools/organizations are being identified through the entire Community Renewal Team human services’ network.

The CATCH program trains the seniors on WHOA foods (salt, sugars, fat), GO! foods (little salt, unhealthy fats), and SLOW foods (foods in between GO and WHOA). The healthy snacks that are served combine different tastes and fun names, such as “ants on a log” (celery, low fat cream cheese, raisins). Learning and engagement is evaluated through pre- and post-testing, and the data is entered into a national CATCH database monitored by The OASIS Institute in St. Louis.

CATCH is an evidence-based, nationally recognized curriculum created by four university research teams. The model started in summer 2011 and currently operates in 18 cities and 14 states. To date it has served more than 5,000 children and volunteers. The program was designated a 2012 “Program of Distinction by Generations United” (diversity among intergenerational programs).