PowerUp has a special focus on kids and families because childhood overweight and obesity tripled in the past 30 years and remains a critical issue for the future of children’s health. Research shows that today, kids are expected to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents for the first time. (1, 2) Research also shows that it takes a multi-level approach, including schools, organizations and the entire community working together to change these trends. (3)

How we PowerUp together

To accomplish this, PowerUp has a four-part approach 

1. Programs and partnerships with schools, food shelves, parks, faith communities and more
2. Outreach and education through classes, events, social media, newsletter and more
3. Influencing community norms around food and physical activity by supporting school wellness policies and guides for concessions, vending, food shelves and more
4. Resources for clinics, patients and health plan member

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The PowerUp message is simple, positive and fun 

It’s a call to action to encourage everyone to eat better, move more and feel good with the PowerUp countdown. Plus, there is a superhero carrot to make it even more fun! Meet Chomp and find fun ways to do countdown!

1. A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century, The New England Journal of Medicine; March 17, 2005. Institute of Medicine. 2012.

2. Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13275.

3. The Current State of Obesity Solutions in the United States, The National Academy of Sciences; February 2014. Institute of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/resource/18742/CurrentObesitySolutions.pdf 

4. Community Health Needs. HealthPartners, Lakeview Hospital; 2018. Retrieved from https://www.healthpartners.com/care/hospitals/lakeview/about/community-health-needs/ 

5. HealthPartners Family Community Survey. Marna Canterbury, Casey Easterday, Julia Johnson, Jennifer Renner, Jeannette Ziegenfuss, 2014, 2016, 2018.