Let's Go! is helping to change environments across 300 communities.

Change can occur across multiple settings, reaching large numbers of individuals, with the active engagement and support of a network of community and state partners.

This past year, more than 700 sites have limited sugary drinks and provided opportunities for physical activity daily. More than 600 sites have limited unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations, prohibited using food as a reward, and limited recreational screen time.

In addition, more than 700 clinicians routinely used Let’s Go!’s Healthy Habits Questionnaire with pediatric and adult patients to initiate conversations around healthy eating and active living.

To see the impact in each Let’s Go! region click here.

 

Community Trends

 

Strategy 1:
Limit unhealthy choices

613 Let's Go! sites limit unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations and provide healthy choices

42% increase over five years

Strategy 3:
Prohibit food as a reward

655 Let's Go! sites prohibit using food as a reward

44% increase over five years

Strategy 5:
Limit recreational screen time

611 Let's Go! sites limit recreational screen time

44% increase over five years

Strategy 2:
Limit or eliminate sugary drinks

713 Let's Go! sites limit sugary drinks and promote water

50% increase over five years

Strategy 4:
Provide opportunities for physical activity daily

704 Let's Go! sites provide opportunities for physical activity daily

51% increase over five years

 Strategies in Action

In 2019-2020, 64 trainings, like the example shared below, were conducted reaching more than 1,000 school, out-of-school, early care and education (ECE), and healthcare staff providing participants with high quality professional development.

The local Let’s Go! Coordinators serving Washington and Hancock counties, Maine’s Downeast region held a virtual Why Movement Matters training for ECE providers on the importance of daily physical activity for young children. The presentation provided the science behind movement and how it improves brain function, mood, and overall health and included many practical examples of how ECE providers can incorporate movement into their programming. The activities were short, interactive and high energy, and developmentally appropriate for toddlers and young children. Activities were also modified to allow for six feet of social distancing to ensure facilities are doing their best to follow public health guidelines.

“This was one of the absolute BEST workshops I have done. It was interactive, entertaining, & engaging. Not only did I come away with great ideas to incorporate into my program and a better sense of why it’s important to encourage kids to get up and go, I, too, felt more energized and enthusiastic. Our lives have been turned upside down, so anything that gives us a boost and a renewed sense of what we can do for our kids and ourselves is welcome. Thank you for your continued excellence in providing workshops that are meaningful and exciting.” —Penni T. ECE Program owner, Princeton, ME

“Since the training we have tried to incorporate more planned games within their free play. I will often refer to our active play book when looking for ideas to use to keep the kids active. They love doing the interactive games/activities and they seem to stay focused and play longer.” —Angela R. ECE program owner, Calais, ME

 

Clinical Trends

 

More clinicians are conducting obesity-specific exams, family history, and review of systems at most or all well visits for children ≥2 years of age with a BMI ≥85th percentile.

Physical Exam

 

Family History

 

Review of Systems

 

Clinicians reporting: 2019 n=36, 2020 n=29

Strategy 1:
Limit unhealthy choices

613 Let's Go! sites limit unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations and provide healthy choices

42% increase over five years

Strategy 2:
Limit or eliminate sugary drinks

713 Let's Go! sites limit sugary drinks and promote water

50% increase over five years

Strategy 3:
Prohibit food as a reward

655 Let's Go! sites prohibit using food as a reward

44% increase over five years

Strategy 4:
Provide opportunities for physical activity daily

704 Let's Go! sites provide opportunities for physical activity daily

51% increase over five years

Strategy 5:
Limit recreational screen time

611 Let's Go! sites limit recreational screen time

44% increase over five years

 Strategies in Action

In 2019-2020, 64 trainings, like the example shared below, were conducted reaching more than 1,000 school, out-of-school, early care and education (ECE), and healthcare staff providing participants with high quality professional development.

The local Let’s Go! Coordinators serving Washington and Hancock counties, Maine’s Downeast region held a virtual Why Movement Matters training for ECE providers on the importance of daily physical activity for young children. The presentation provided the science behind movement and how it improves brain function, mood, and overall health and included many practical examples of how ECE providers can incorporate movement into their programming. The activities were short, interactive and high energy, and developmentally appropriate for toddlers and young children. Activities were also modified to allow for six feet of social distancing to ensure facilities are doing their best to follow public health guidelines.

“This was one of the absolute BEST workshops I have done. It was interactive, entertaining, & engaging. Not only did I come away with great ideas to incorporate into my program and a better sense of why it’s important to encourage kids to get up and go, I, too, felt more energized and enthusiastic. Our lives have been turned upside down, so anything that gives us a boost and a renewed sense of what we can do for our kids and ourselves is welcome. Thank you for your continued excellence in providing workshops that are meaningful and exciting.” —Penni T. ECE Program owner, Princeton, ME

“Since the training we have tried to incorporate more planned games within their free play. I will often refer to our active play book when looking for ideas to use to keep the kids active. They love doing the interactive games/activities and they seem to stay focused and play longer.” —Angela R. ECE program owner, Calais, ME