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The Zone Health program provides technical assistance and resources to help schools assess their nutrition and physical activity environments and develop customized goals and objectives to improve the health of children in North Carolina. The program was developed by NC Prevention Partners with support from GlaxoSmithKline Community Partnerships.

Public schools reach over 95% of 5 to 17 year old children in North Carolina. This reach uniquely positions schools to lead the way in improving the health of the state’s children by combating the growing problems of obesity and related diseases described below:

• Approximately 9 million, or 16% of 6- to 19-year-olds, are considered overweight.
  Institute of Medicine (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance.

• In 2005, 16.1% children ages 0 to 17 in North Carolina were overweight and 11.6% were at risk for overweight.
  Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program

• Approximately 60% of overweight children ages 5 to 10 have at least one physiological heart disease and stroke risk factor—such as elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin or blood pressure—and 25% that two or more such risk factors.
  Institute of Medicine (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance.

• An estimated 1 in 3 children born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes before reaching age 50.
  “Statement of the American Diabetes Association Regarding the President’s Budget Request,” American Diabetes  Association.