To increase both physical activity levels and nutritional content in meals for schools and communities on the atolls of Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit, and Wotje in the Republic of Marshall Islands.
The project builds on outcomes of two previous WDF projects. Working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education the project responds to an urgent need to integrate physical exercise and nutrition literacy into the Republic of the Marshall Islands' (RMI) school system and broader communities. The project primarily targets the school population from kindergarten to 8th grade. Additionally, it aims to reach parents and children aged 5-18 who reside in remote islands without school facilities. A comprehensive network, including mayors, school staff, the RMI NCD Coalition, and staff from the collaborating ministries, will implement the project activities on-site.A novel aspect of the project is the emphasis on promoting nutrition awareness among women of reproductive age, both pregnant and preconception. Furthermore, the project will facilitate the development and implementation of national legislation and policies on primary prevention. This includes the formulation of school policies and curricula focusing on nutrition and physical exercise, and the introduction of a national law to curb the marketing of unhealthy foods to minors.A robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) methodology forms the backbone of the project. This includes conducting systematic Body Mass Index (BMI) surveys of the entire target group and developing a health literacy M&E methodology to monitor health awareness in communities and schools. The development of these methodologies is supported by WHO, UNICEF, and the Pacific Community.
• 6,000 students trained in healthy living. • 2,000 adults (including women in reproductive age) reached at interactive awareness raising activities.• 1,500 people over the age of 18 screened for diabetes and hypertension.• 34 schools providing culturally appropriate healthy food options. • 51 school or community gardens established (30 school gardens, 21 community gardens). • National Canteen Policy for school lunches developed and implemented. • Law developed and implemented restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to minors.• 32 schools equipped to promote physical activity. • Physical Education (PE) school curriculum created.• Community Physical Activity Program developed.• 25% of students will have a reduction in obesity/overweight percentiles per BMI data collected.• 10 IEC materials in Marshallese Language developed and distributed.• Context adapted health literacy M&E methodology developed and change in health literacy measured at baseline, mid-line, and endline.• National NCD strategic plan developed and implemented.
In the heart of the Marshall Islands, an ambitious project shows how combining education with new laws can lead to lasting change.