SWITCH Programming

SWITCH (School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health) is a school-wellness training initiative coordinated by Dr. Greg Welk and an interdisciplinary research team of faculty and staff from multiple universities. Through a USDA funded grant, the team has established a flexible, capacity-building process that helps schools to build capacity to run programming on their own. Programming is now coordinated by the 4-H Youth Development program of ISU Extension and Outreach but Dr. Welk and the PAHP lab still play a key role in facilitating and evaluating programming.

What is SWITCH

SWITCH is an evidence-based obesity prevention program designed to help youth to "Switch what they Do, View and Chew". The program, based on social ecological theory, works with and through schools to reach parents and children. A novel aspect of the project is that it is managed through participatory research agreement to enable shared learning through the project. Additional details are below:

SWITCH Leadership Team

Switch is guided by an interdisciplinary leadership team consisting of a number of ISU faculty members as well as colleagues from ISU Extension / 4-H. 
  • Greg Welk, Ph.D.: Kinesiology
  • Lorraine Lanninghman-Foster, Ph.D.: FSHN
  • Spyridoula Vazou, Ph.D.: Kinesiology
  • Laura Leichty: 4-H Program 
  • Rachel Sweeney: 4-H Program

Conceptual Handout


Questions about SWITCH?

    Complete the form below if you would like more information on SWITCH or details on how to launch it in your school.