A Diet and Physical Activity Initiative in a Rural Area

1. A Diet and Physical Activity Initiative in a Rural Area Sonia C. Tinsley, Ph.D., CHES Louisiana College Tara L. Gallien, Ph.D., CHES East Carolina University American Association for Health Education 2013 Charlotte, North Carolina

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

3. Initiative Service Area – Rapides Foundation Service Area (RFSA)

4. 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

5. Increase in Obesity Prevalence (%) Among U.S. Children & Adolescents BMI > 95th percentile Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES). Ogden & Carroll (2010).

6. Changes in Child & Adolescent Obesity Prevalence (%): RFSA vs. US BMI> 95th percentile Sources: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES, 2005-2006 and 2009 – 2010; The Rapides Foundation Community Health Assessment, 2010

7. 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 choices Sources: 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

8. TASKS PHASE I Gantt Chart Phase I 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. School Summit • What is the Louisiana School Health Index (SHI)? Dr. Diane Cole, Southeastern University • Breakout Session • CATCH • SPARK • SMART • Team Nutrition in Louisiana

12. 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.

13. TASKS PHASE II Phase II Planning grant offered CDC’s school Health Index Process Diet & Physical Activity School Health Institute School Implementation Grant offered for 2009 - 2010

14. 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

15. Thank you!

16. Questions?