Expanding Anatomy Academy in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area: A Service Learning Project to Improve Childhood Health through Supplemental Educational Sessions

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with approximately 18.5% of US children presenting with obesity. High levels of obesity are less common in higher income communities, but increasingly more prevalent in lower income communities. Currently in Clark County, Nevada, more specifically in lower socioeconomic communities and Title I schools within the Las Vegas area, there is an opportunity to educate students about the components of a healthier lifestyle to provide children with the tools to improve their health. Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week health education program that was created to teach fourth and fifth grade students about the various structures and functions of the human body, as well as the importance of living a healthy lifestyle in order to address the obesity epidemic. This service-learning project aimed to expand the reach of the Anatomy Academy program to more schools in the Las Vegas area in an effort to educate more underserved students about anatomy, physiology, and healthy lifestyle choices. Secondary aims included teaching fourth and fifth grade students about anatomy, physiology, and the components of a healthy lifestyle, as well as providing opportunities for professional growth to the physical therapy (PT) students administering the program. This service learning project delivered the program in two Title I elementary schools near University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), facilitated by UNLV PT student mentors and undergraduate kinesiology volunteers. Weekly sessions focused on seven body systems and included interactive activities designed to foster physical activity and engagement, with guidance provided by student mentors to enhance learning and ensure a seamless delivery of material. The program successfully expanded from two classrooms to five total classrooms over the course of three semesters. Additionally, student physical therapists reported personal and professional growth, which was measured through their application of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) core values throughout the program, as highlighted in post-program reflections. While no conclusions on the effectiveness of the AA program can be made from this service-learning project, the program provided valuable benefits for all stakeholders involved. Therefore, efforts should continue to be made to expand AA further, in subsequent years, to additional classrooms and schools in the Las Vegas Valley.