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About The Quadrangle
As a dedicated cross-country and track runner, I've learned how proper nutrition fuels the body and impacts energy and endurance. I've always had access to resources that support my health. However, volunteering at New City Kids in Paterson, New Jersey, I noticed that many children in my neighboring community lack the same knowledge and access. I saw many students making unhealthy food choices, and they didn't understand the importance of essential nutrition, which directly affects their health.
This issue goes beyond my neighboring community. As stated on the World Health Organization's website, "Unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health, contributing to obesity and chronic diseases." This inspired me to start my own blog.
The word quadrangle comes from the words "quad—" meaning "four" and "angle," meaning "the space within two lines diverging from a common point." My blog focuses on youth health and explore policy-based solutions by focusing on the four pillars of public health policy. They are the core areas that support effective public health systems.
The Quadrangle of Public Health Policy
My blog focuses on youth health and explore policy-based solutions by focusing on the four pillars of public health policy. They are the core areas that support effective public health systems.
Health Promotion
- Focuses on encouraging healthy lifestyles and behaviors through education and outreach.
- Examples: Anti-smoking campaigns, healthy eating initiatives, and physical activity programs.
Disease Prevention
- Aims to prevent the onset or spread of disease through proactive measures.
- Examples: Vaccination programs, cancer screenings, hand hygiene campaigns.
Health Protection
- Involves safeguarding populations from health risks through regulations and safety measures.
- Examples: Environmental health regulations, food safety inspections, and pollution control.
Health Care Services
- Ensures access to quality medical care and equitable healthcare services for all individuals.
- Examples: Universal health coverage initiatives, Medicaid and Medicare, and mental health services.
About Me
I am a 16-year-old first-honor roll student at Bergen Catholic High School. I am passionate about learning about health and public policy through articles and podcasts.
Nourish Children Today and Advocate for Their Tomorrow
Story
After some time volunteering with NewCityKids in Paterson, I noticed many differences, but one of the similarities was the number of obese children.
This showed me that obesity and lack of nutritional education do not discriminate between neighborhoods. I see the same number of obese people among my peers and at my school. But the difference is the accessibility of nutritional food.
So, the EatSmart Project’s goal is to provide the less fortunate with healthier food and better alternatives to help combat the obesity problem in all neighborhoods.
Mission
Our mission is to provide healthy snacks and fun nutrition education to underserved kids while empowering the public to urge elected officials to protect and strengthen child nutrition programs like WIC, school meals, and summer food assistance.
Action
We meet an immediate need by providing healthy snacks and nutrition education to children who may not have regular access during the summer or after school.
Advocacy
We are working to prevent and solve the root causes of child hunger and malnutrition long-term by calling for stronger support for public nutrition programs (like WIC, school meals, summer food service programs, etc.). I would set this up on my website, and a good example can be found here:
What will be included in the kit?
Healthy snacks include fruit (apple or small orange), nut-free granola bars, fruit snacks, or trail mix.
What makes the kit different from others?
It’s more than just food—it’s education. Each kit includes a healthy snack and a fun, age-appropriate activity (like a coloring page, matching game, or “Build Your Plate” worksheet) that helps children learn about nutrition and smart food choices in an engaging way.
It empowers not just kids, but families and communities. Inside every kit is a take-home flyer with simple tips for caregivers, plus a QR code that links to an advocacy tool. Families can email their local representatives to support programs like WIC, school meals, and summer food assistance with one click.