Studies predict that America’s youth will be the first generation not to live as long as their parents.  America’s weight problem has a lot to do with that trend.  In the past 30 years adult obesity rates have more than doubled and youth rates have tripled. Illinois has not escaped--recent studies show that approximately 25% of adults and 11% of youth are obese in our state.  Many factors contribute to the breadth of this crisis.  The availability and affordability of healthy food, restricted time and space for exercise, and limited public knowledge of the risks and costs associated with obesity are a few examples. 

A wide range of initiatives have been developed at the state and national level to address this issue, but the influential factors are what is happening locally.  Quality Quest for Health of Illinois has formed the Healthy Lifestyles Team in order to generate recommendations for improving the health and well-being of our local community, particularly its youth.  The Healthy Lifestyles Team includes a wide variety of local stakeholders including: school principals and staff, local government officials, youth, health, and community focused non-profits, parents, nutritionists, medical experts, and local businesses. 

The goal of this team is to decrease the prevalence of overweight and obese youth in Peoria District 150 schools.  The team’s initial focus will be on the youth and community surrounding Garfield Primary, Trewyn Middle School, and Manual High School.  An evidence-based approach will be employed and indicators such as Body Mass Index (BMI) will be included.


Black Belt: Cheryl Toland - Quality Quest
Team Lead: Viktor Schrader - Quality Quest

Team Members:

Daurice Figgers – Parent/Activist
Shannon Fowler - Peoria Health Dept.
Carl  Cannon – Peoria Park District
Terri Cannon – Logan Park/Peoria Park District
Dr. Jeanette Davidson - Bradley University
Stan Hangen – Parent Rep
Sandy Burke – School District 150
Dr. Tim Vega – OSF Healthcare System
Stacey DeJaynes – MMCI District 150 Health Clinic
Denise Urycki – Exergaming/GITM
Taunya Jenkins – Manual High School
Joyce Banks – Schwari-Chenga Project
Cheryll Boswell – METEC
Lori Frampton – Peoria Housing Authority
Brenda Coates – Peoria Housing Authority
Kevin Curtin – Garfield Primary School
Eric Thomas – Trewyn Middle School
Heather Young – Manual High School
Dr. Mike Taylor - Caterpillar Inc.
Kyle Dooley – Sen. Dave Koehler’s Office
Amanda Newell – Bradley University
Kim Keenan-Exergaming/GITM
Marjorie LaFont – U of I Extension Office
Jo Garrison – OSF Healthcare System