Ohio

Bordered by Lake Erie to the north and home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there is no shortage of entertainment in Ohio. In fact, tourism is one of the state’s biggest sources of revenue. But one thing people aren’t flocking to see is the high prevalence of overweight and obese children that plague the state: More than one in three young people are at risk for developing serious health problems associated with obesity.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Saint Luke's Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, the United Way of Greater Cleveland, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.

Our Work in Ohio

In Ohio, we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.

Over 1,000 schools serving more than 548,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 59 Ohio schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

Healthier Generation also enlists the help of regional and local partners to create healthier schools. These partners, such as the Health Action Council and the Aultman Foundation, receive specialized professional development training from Healthier Generation staff and gain access to Healthier Generation’s customized tools, resources and data that empower them to guide schools to improve physical activity and nutrition policies and practices.

We’ve also made it easier for more than 9,000 youth in 96 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more through our Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative.

Success Stories

Hear from school champions from just three of the many districts we work with in Ohio: Sycamore Community Schools, enrolled with the Healthy Schools Program since 2011; Cleveland Metropolitan School District, enrolled since 2009; and Canton City School District, enrolled since 2012.

Everyone at the wellness committee meetings had their own agenda and the Healthy Schools Framework allowed us to look at ourselves as a whole.

Jessica Johnson

Food Service Director, Sycamore Community Schools, OH

Creating a healthier school environment is a short-term goal. Developing a healthier generation and therefore, a healthier community is the ultimate goal.

Sherdina Williams

School Nurse, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, OH

The work of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has helped me in my work to promote health and wellness and align with our district improvement plans.

Krista Allison

Former Director, Canton City School District, OH

From Our Program Manager

Our Healthy Schools Program Manager supports enrolled schools in the state, helping them in create healthier learning environments for students. Hear from her about the impact we’re making in Ohio. 

The Healthy Schools Program provides a framework that addresses all areas of wellness and impacts students as well as the entire school community.

Toni Miller

Healthy Schools Program Manager, OH