Healthy for Life in Sonoma County

Healthy for Life in Sonoma County (HFL) is a physical education program that instructs students in proper fitness and nutrition habits in order to reduce childhood obesity and increase wellness. HFL in Sonoma County is inspired by the successful HFL campaign conducted in Orange County, CA by St. Joseph Health System. HFL in Sonoma County is provided to participating schools free of charge and is embedded in the existing school curriculum. Students receive a baseline evaluation by their physical education instructor and a staff of physicians, nutritionists, and nurse practitioners. The baseline evaluation allows students to set goals and develop an individual program to address areas of concern. Through increased fitness and an improved diet, HFL in Sonoma County seeks to both improve wellness and create a school culture of health and confidence. HFL in Sonoma County incorporates already existing student health programs, such as Safe Routes to School Sonoma County, a program that encourages students to bike or walk to school. HFL in Sonoma County is a project of the Sonoma County Healthy Students Initiative and is co-funded by St. Joseph Health System Foundation and Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Healthy for Life in Sonoma County is a pilot school-based intervention that seeks to reduce childhood obesity, increase student physical activity, and improve student access to nutrition and medical resources.

Healthy for Life in Sonoma County has provided training to physical education instructors and is currently providing PE coaching to 40 5th graders in Sonoma County. The pilot program has obtained $20,000 dollars of funding from St. Joseph Health System Foundation and Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.