Healthy Lifestyle Program

CAN DO Houston’s (CAN DO) Healthy Lifestyle Program (HLP) is a 6-week curriculum for that focuses on healthy eating and active living.  This curriculum has been modified from the “A Nu Life” curriculum created through the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.  The overall goal of the program is to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to implement practical changes in the home environment that will facilitate adoption of a healthy lifestyle for their family.  During each session, participants engage in discussion on various topics pertaining to healthy eating and active living, participate in class activities that prepare them to implement realistic changes, witness cooking demonstrations, sample healthy and delicious foods, set goals, and leave with homework assignments to complete for the next session. Pre- and post-test assessments are provided to the participants, as well as session evaluations at the end of each class.  This program has been implemented four times across three priority communities and consistently results in great retention (average of 15-20 participants per implementation), changes in behavior and the home environment, and some improvements in self-efficacy.  CAN DO has added a physical activity content influenced by the U of H Bounce Curriculum, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Association.  HLP has been implemented in Sunnyside, Northeast Houston, and Fifth Ward.  In addition, components are heavily used across the nutrition education included in the Healthy Corner Stores (Sunnyside and Pasadena), Let’s Move (Magnolia Park and Independence Heights), and Food Fairs (Independence Heights and Fifth Ward).