Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, once the home of our nation’s capital, is a state steeped in history – from the Liberty Bell to the battle of Gettysburg. One thing the state would not like to make history is the alarming fact that more than one in four of its children is currently overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is working with communities throughout the state to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives and reach their full potential.

Our Work in Pennsylvania

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

Almost 1,100 schools serving over 662,000 students across the state have joined Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, 24 Pennsylvania schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

In Pennsylvania, we’ve also made it easier for more than 19,000 youth in 240 out-of-school time programs to eat right and move more through our Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative. 

Healthier Generation also enlists the help of regional and local partners to create healthier school and out-of-school time environments. These partners, such as the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Health Promotion Council, receive specialized professional development from Healthier Generation staff and gain access to Healthier Generation’s customized tools, resources and data that empower them to guide schools and out-of-school time sites to improve physical activity and nutrition policies and practices.

Success Stories

Watch how we’re helping kids develop healthier habits during out-of-school time in Philadelphia through our work with the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia.

See how just two of the many schools we work with in Pennsylvania are helping students eat better and move more: Anne Frank Elementary School, enrolled in the Healthy Schools Program since 2010, and South Eastern Middle School West, enrolled since 2011.

Having connections, not only to Healthier Generation, but to other schools through Healthier Generation, makes our school stronger and a healthier place to be.

Mickey Komins

Principal, Anne Frank Elementary School