The Healthy Lifestyles Initiative

The Healthy Lifestyles Initiative (HLI) is designed to increase individuals practicing healthy lifestyles and at a healthy weight in the Kansas City area. This is done in collaboration with partners using proven methods, building on current resources, integrating across sectors, and tracking what works.

The HLI Methods provide a framework for community collaboration and alignment across three sectors (health care, government, and community). These methods, called MAPPS for Change, are based on approaches that contribute to lowering rates of obesity and include:

M- Consistent use of message - 12345 Fit-Tastic!
A- Consistent assessment of weight status and behaviors.
P- Customized healthy weight plan for all.
P- Policies and environments that enable healthy eating and active living.
S- Statistics or collecting and analyzing key measures to track progress and support process improvement.

The current HLI objectives include:
1. Increase community engagement and collaboration.
2. Expand supports for new partners to incorporate MAPPS for Change elements within their programs.
3. Increase the number of partners engaged in HLI.
4. Increase the number of children and families who hear the message and receive education on targeted behaviors.
5. Increase the number of children and their families that receive a healthy weight assessment and customized plan through primary care practices or health screenings.
6. Improve linkage between partners to enhance collective impact within communities.
7. Increase policy and environmental changes to support healthy eating and active living behaviors.

The Healthy Lifestyles Initiative works to integrate efforts to increase the proportion of Kansas City children and their families practicing healthy behaviors at a healthy weight.

Collaboration among multiple agencies across public and private sectors resulted in reaching almost 1 million people in the Kansas City area. Healthy weight assessments and plans received at primary care clinics are helping to promote healthy eating and living among children and their families.

Over 60 agencies across three sectors have enrolled in the HLI to date. The collective reach of these partners is approaching 1 million from the Kansas City area. At Children's Mercy, of the children getting a well-child check in primary care clinics, 90% received a healthy weight assessment and 65% receive a healthy weight plan. Community partners have submitted 13 policies that promote healthy eating and active living.