Program Overview
Generation Health Community is a self-referred chronic disease prevention program delivered over 10 weeks by a trained facilitation team for children aged 8 to 12 years old needing support with healthy living.
The program is focused on practical, fun activities that enhance family connectedness while building the parent/caregiver and child’s skills to make positive changes and build a solid foundation for healthy living together. It aligns with the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Canada’s Food Guide.
How do families sign up?
Eligible families are able to self register for the program and do not require a physician referral. You can recommend the program to families.
Sharing the Program with Families:
You can download this pdf to share with families who you think would benefit from the Generation Health Community program.
Program Outcomes
These are some of the significant findings based on more than five years of research evidence and evaluation by the Childhood Healthy Living Foundation in partnership with the University of Victoria’s Digital Health Lab.
Healthy Eating
- Parents increase confidence to support healthy eating.
- Children increase confidence to make healthy eating choices.
- Children (and parents) eat more vegetables and fruit.
Physical Activity
- Children are more physically active.
- Children are less sedentary.
- Parents increase confidence to support family physical activity.
Quality of Life
- Children increase quality of life across four domains–emotional, social, school, and physical.
Screen Time
- Children lower recreational screen time and can manage time on electronic devices.
Research / Evaluation
An evidence-based approach. It builds on published research evidence and five years of detailed evidence and experience implementing childhood healthy weight programs in BC. Past outcome and process evaluation data collected from families, delivery teams, and partners helped inform the design. A comprehensive market research study provided further insights into the interests and preferences of BC families.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are very few programs for families or primary care providers to turn to when healthy living behaviour support is needed and the child does not have clinical concerns. This program is a key component of the coordinated system of care that the Province offers to BC families for children experiencing the negative social, mental, and physical health consequences of being off the healthy living path.
No, it is a self-referred program. However, healthcare professionals can connect families to the program so they can register themselves.
With funding from the BC Ministry of Health, the Childhood Healthy Living Foundation (CHLF) is responsible for overseeing and managing the community program. CHLF partners with local community organizations, such as the YMCA, Municipal Recreation Centres, Community Centres, Neighbourhood Houses, etc., who deliver the programs in their communities or virtually. Trained program facilitators deliver the program and have backgrounds in physical activity, nutrition and/or public health backgrounds. They also receive additional training in facilitation, program content, disability inclusion, and scope of practice. Some sessions have guest speakers, including a Registered Dietitian and a Mental Health Professional.
Trained program facilitators lead the program and have backgrounds in physical activity, nutrition and/or public health backgrounds. They also receive additional training in facilitation, program content, disability inclusion, and scope of practice. Some sessions have guest speakers, including a Registered Dietitian and a Mental Health Professional.
We had a great time. The program opened doors to new insights to family health which we discuss at our dinners together. We really enjoyed cooking together and asking the nutritionist questions.
