Empowering Healthy Behaviors!

Our long-term health investment vision continues to focus on reducing youth obesity rates and the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes diagnosis by empowering them to live healthier lives.

• In Iowa, 16.9% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Iowa a ranking of 18 among the 50 states with Kentucky ranking 1 at 23.8% and Arizona ranking 50 at 10.2% [Source: State of Childhood Obesity] 
• In the Muscatine County Schools, there are Type 1 and Type 2  youth diabetes diagnoses.   
• Research has proven kids who get more physical activity do better in school than children that do not.  
• Researchers found students who exercise more score higher on math, language and memory tests. Exercise increases the blood flow to the brain, stimulating a sense of well-being. 

• The Muscatine Diabetes Project identified a need for an educational diabetes awareness program for third-graders in the Muscatine Community School District in the 2017-18 school year, and implemented the Diabetes Busters Program.  We have served over 1,040 students. 
• The Diabetes Busters Program was developed by professionals in the field of education, nursing, nutrition, physical education and fitness from the University of Iowa, the Iowa City School District and the American Diabetes Association-Iowa.  

• 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits. 
• The goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change. 
• This evidence-based prevention framework is woven into all of our programs. 

• In the 2018-2019 school year we implemented a pilot program at Grant Elementary School and served 297 students with 13 classroom boxes totaling 2,513 non-food items.
• We received funding for a portion of this pilot program  from Muscatine Charities Inc. 

• The Muscatine Diabetes Project has always had an active partnership with Muscatine Community School District, offering diabetes education to elementary students. 
• In October 2019, the group expanded their partnership, presenting a $500 grant to the Madison Elementary School Mileage and Running Clubs. 
• In January 2020, the Muscatine Diabetes Project stepped up their involvement, coordinating a Walking Buddies' Program with Madison’s Mileage Club and local businesses. 
• In April 2021 and 2022, our volunteers helped count laps with the annual Madison Elementary School Fund Run fundraiser. 

• Training was held for Muscatine, West Liberty,  Wilton and L&M Community School Districts nurses, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents. 
• Partnership with University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Pediatric Certified Diabetes Educator.

• The emergency diabetes school kits are currently serving 25+ students living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the  L&M, Muscatine, West Liberty and Wilton School Districts. 

• A Camp Scholarship was implemented for Muscatine County area Type 1 and Type 2 youth to attend an Iowa Diabetes Camp. We support Camp Hertko Hollow and Camp Tanager.