CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) is a TEA approved Coordinated School Health Program designed to promote physical activity, healthy food choices, and prevent tobacco use in elementary school aged children. By teaching children that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be FUN, the CATCH Program has proved that establishing healthy habits in childhood can promote behavior change that carry into adulthood.
The CATCH Program focuses on coordinating four components: the Eat Smart school nutrition program, K-5 and 6-8 Classroom curriculum,a Physical Education program, and a Family program. The Coordination of health messages between these four component areas is critical to positively impact children's knowledge and behavior. For over 10 years CATCH has guided schools, families, and children in the process of being healthy. CATCH, the largest school-based health promotion study in the U.S., has demonstrated that behaviors such as eating foods high in saturated fat and physical inactivity can be changed.
The Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) Program exists for the primary purpose of creating healthy children and healthy school environments. The CATCH Texas staff will achieve this goal by implementing effective coordinated school health programming (CSHP), using CATCH, in every school in Texas.
Successful implementation of CATCH requires that:
- Every school is educated in the need for and benefits of CATCH.
- Every school is trained to implement all components of CATCH.
- Logistical support is provided before and during the implementation process.
- New and revised CATCH products, training programs and advocacy networks are developed to effectively support the institutionalization of CATCH in all schools.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/catch/
