A Diet and Physical Activity Initiative in a Rural Area

Sonia C. Tinsley, Ph.D., CHESLouisiana College

Tara L. Gallien, Ph.D., CHESEast Carolina University

American Association for Health Education 2013Charlotte, North Carolina

Objective

To identify the steps that led to a diet and physical activity initiative implemented in nine school districts in central Louisiana.

Initiative Service Area – Rapides Foundation Service Area (RFSA)

Purpose & Focus of the Initiative

Purpose: To respond to the rise in obesity among children and adolescents in central Louisiana by targeting the school environment.

Focus:– health and physical education programs and

curricula– nutritional services– wellness polices

Increase in Obesity Prevalence (%) Among U.S. Children & Adolescents

Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES). Ogden & Carroll (2010).

BMI> 95th percentile

Changes in Child & Adolescent Obesity Prevalence (%): RFSA vs. US

Sources: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES, 2005-2006 and 2009 – 2010; The Rapides Foundation Community Health Assessment, 2010

BMI> 95th percentile

Factors contributing to obesity among young people in rural areas (limited research)

• Are often poor and rely on food stamps• Attend schools that had little or no health or physical

education• Have limited access to recreational areas, parks, or school

facilities for afterschool programs• Denial of recess inhibited physical activity• Engage in sedentary activities (e.g., electronic entertainment

> 2 hrs)• Limited availability and high cost of healthy food• Consume large amounts of “junk food,” fast food, fried food• Few healthy meal choices at school• Do not have healthy role models for physical activity or

nutritional choicesSources: Walker, Del Russo, Held (2005), Save the Children; Davis et al. (2011) Journal of Pediatric Psychology; Findholt et al. (2011)American Journal of Health Promotion

TASKS PHASE I

June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

MONTHS

Conduct needs assessment

Review of literature

Prepare report

Present to The Rapides Foundation

Identify the regional vision and goals of the diet &

physical activity initiative

Assemble resources for wellness summit

Gantt ChartPhase I

Key points gleaned from needs assessment

• Little understanding of the requirements for writing a wellness policy

• Lack of a physical education curriculum• Lack of professional development for physical

education and health education teachers• Need help with integrating physical activity and

health into other subject areas

SCHOOL SUMMIT

• Louisiana Report Card on Physical Activity, Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

• Keynote Address, Strengthening Healthy Schools in Cenla, Dr. Millie Naquin

• District Team Breakouts: Based on what you just heard – Is this true for your kids: Is it a serious problem? How do you see your schools playing a role? What do you think the benefits/barriers/issues are in Louisiana?

School Summit• What is the Louisiana School Health Index (SHI)?

Dr. Diane Cole, Southeastern University• Breakout Session

– CATCH – SPARK– SMART– Team Nutrition in Louisiana

School Summit

• Group Discussion: Teams discuss what they learned, what might work in their school, and other interventions they may be aware of.

• What happens now? The Rapides Foundation package for School Wellness planning grants are distributed.

TASKS PHASE II

Dec.2008

Jan.2009

Feb.2009

March2009

April2009

May 2009

June 2009

Phase II

Planning grant offered

CDC’s school Health Index Process

Diet & Physical Activity

School Health Institute

School Implementation Grant offered for

2009 - 2010

Where they are now?

• Formation of a team of grant monitors

• After School Health Index (SHI), staff wellness was identified as a need

• Healthy Behaviors Youth Summit

Thank you!

Questions?