Creating Healthier Places

The Ohio State University

2017 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014

Length of Commitment: 3 years

Select a Progress Report:

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Committed to meet guidelines—developed by PHA in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading nutrition, physical activity and campus wellness experts—around nutrition, physical activity, and programming on campus.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer on the menu a minimum of one (1) wellness meal at each breakfast, lunch and dinner meal (if served).
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University offers at least one wellness meal at every breakfast, lunch and dinner served in all six campus dining venues. Wellness meals meet all PHA food and nutrition criteria and are promoted online and daily with digital signage at the point of presentation.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer a minimum five (5) types of fruits, five (5) types of vegetables and two (2) 100% whole grain products at both lunch and dinner (if served).
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University offers more than the minimum of five fruits, five vegetables and two 100% whole grain products at each lunch and dinner served.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer only a total number of fried foods that does not exceed the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner (if served) across all venues.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University offers a total number of fried foods that does not exceed the total number of platforms available at both lunch and dinner across all dining venues.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Label food and beverage items offered with calories per serving at the point of presentation.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University has developed the Healthy Buckeye Choice Icon to identify healthier food and beverage options at the point of presentation. All items that receive the Healthy Buckeye Choice Icon meet calorie, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat standards approved by PHA.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer a plant-based food option at every platform serving meat.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University offers a wide range of plant-based food options at every platform serving meat.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Ensure that a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of vending machines offer only healthier food and beverage products or fifty percent (50%) of each vending machine content is healthier food and beverage products
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University ensures that more than 50% of all food and beverage options available in vending machines on campus meet food and nutrition criteria approved by PHA.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Provide marked walking routes on campus, one of which must be at least two (2) miles in length and have distance markers at regular intervals. A route map is made available to individuals on campus.
Progress To Date

The Buckeye Path to Wellness offers a 2.1 mile walking route through campus with distance markers placed every 0.2 miles. The route map is available at five locations on the path and online.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Post signage requiring cars to stop for pedestrians at all designated or marked crosswalks on campus.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University has posted signage requiring cars to stop or yield for pedestrians at all designated crosswalks on campus.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer, without a user fee, both: a. Fitness/recreation center orientation during the first semester for all incoming students and b. One (1) fitness assessment all students each academic year.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University offers free comprehensive fitness assessments, body composition assessments and recreation equipment orientations for students throughout the year.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Implement an integrated, comprehensive wellness program for individuals on campus that is provided annually.
Progress To Date

The Ohio State University has developed a wellness strategic plan with the mission to optimize the highest levels of wellness for all faculty, staff and students across the university and global community. The wellness plan is inclusive, comprehensive and integrated. The One University Health and Wellness Council provides strategic leadership for health and wellness and is comprised of key leaders across the University, with representation from faculty, staff, students and members of the University communications team. The strategic plan includes the implementation of interventions directed at the individual, social and family networks as well as workplace and policy levels. The plan is also focused on building a wellness culture and environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice.
Implementation Date
April 2017
Reporting Date
June 2017

Commitment Element
Offer a rewards-on-benefits structured program that gives insurance premium discounts and/or rebates to individuals on campus who participate in a wellness program designated by the health insurer or campus.
Progress To Date

The Your Plan for Health (YP4H) Incentive Program rewards participants for wellness activities, including completing preventive exams, eating healthy, being active, managing stress, abstaining from tobacco and getting enough sleep. The Ohio State University faculty and staff enrolled in an Ohio State University medical plan that participate in the YP4H Incentive Program are eligible to earn up to $150 in tax-free credits for their Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). An enrolled spouse or same-sex domestic partner may earn an additional $150. The Ohio State University faculty and staff not enrolled in an Ohio State University medical plan, but who are eligible for enrollment, can earn up to $100 in Amazon gift cards.

Partner Statement

“With the completion of our Partnership for Healthier America agreement, The Ohio State University is proud of all our accomplishments over the past three years, in order to meet the requirements for a healthy campus. We have implemented several new health and wellness activities and opportunities that benefit students, faculty and staff, as a result of the PHA criteria. A few of the projects include creating a 2.2 mile walking path, making improvements in food options in the dining facilities, and creating a resource guide for students living in the residence halls. We will be highlighting our success at the annual State of Health & Wellness in Buckeye Nation this March, thanking all who were involved in the PHA process, and sharing what we have done to create and sustain a culture and environment focused on wellness for all.”