The Strategy of YEAH: An Application of the Health Belief Model in Addressing Youth Obesity Preventi

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The Strategy of YEAH! An Application of the
Health Belief Model in Addressing Youth Obesity
Prevention

• Tait Martin, Ph.D.,
• Director of Research,
• Marketing for Change
• Jennie Hefelfinger, MS,
• Chief, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and
  Health Promotion,
• Florida Department of Health
• Alice Jaglowski, MSH, CHES,
• Physical Activity Coordinator, Florida Obesity
  Prevention Program,
• Florida Department of Health

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Objectives

• Define the problem of overweight and obesity
  among youth in FL
• Describe the Youth Empowered Ambassadors for
  Health (YEAH) program
• Apply the Socio-Ecological Framework to YEAH
• Explain the YEAH program using the Health Belief
  Model

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Defining the problem, 2005 YRBS

• In 2005, 14.4 percent of high school students
  were at risk for overweight and an additional
  10.9 percent are overweight YRBS).
• In 2005, more than 60 percent of high school
  students did not participate in any physical
  education at school (YRBS).
• In 2005, approximately 21.9 percent of Florida
  high school students ate 5 or more servings of
  fruits or vegetables each day during the past 7
  days (YRBS).

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Defining the problem, 2005 YPANS

• In 2005, 31.3 percent of middle school students
  did not go to physical education classes at all
  during an average school week (YPANS).
• In 2005, only 22.0 percent of middle school
  students reported eating five or more servings of
  fruits and vegetables per day (YPANS).

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Building the momentum

• 2004 Governors Task Force on the Obesity
  Epidemic Recommendations
• 2005 Secretarys Summits on Obesity
• 2005 4-H Pilot workshop

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Youth Empowered Ambassadors for Health (YEAH)

• Target audience Youth from statewide
  organizations (i.e. 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs,
  Girl/Boy Scouts, etc.)
• Purpose Empower youth to become advocates for
  healthy behaviors specifically focusing on
  healthy eating and increased physical activity.
• Activities Youth will focus on personal,
  interpersonal and organizational strategies to
  impact healthy lifestyles.
• Strategies Utilization of the Connect With Kids
  Biggest Generation DVD. www.connectwithkids.com/
  yeah

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YEAH Summit 2006

• A one and a half day Youth Ambassador Summit in
  Orlando was convened on June 2 and 3.
• Information was presented on physical activity
  and healthy nutrition recommendations, evidenced
  based interventions and best practice strategies.
• Leadership opportunity for youth from various
  established youth organizations to present on
  existing activities to support this effort.

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Innovative partnerships

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Kids
  Movement
• American Heart Association
• Connect with Kids
• Florida Coca-Cola
• Florida Dairy Council
• Florida Department of Education

• Florida On The Move
• Florida Prevention Research Center, University of
  South Florida
• IFAS, University of Florida, 4-H
• Special Olympics Florida
• Student Advocate
• University of Central Florida

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Organizational Environment (Policies to promote
physical activity and healthy nutrition in the
club setting)
Interpersonal Environment (Strategies to talk to
parents and family about increasing physical
activity and healthy nutrition)
Personal (increasing personal physical activity
and healthy nutrition)
Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition
Health
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Three assumptions of the HBM

• Assumption one the feeling that the negative
  health condition can be avoided
• YEAH! participants believe obesity can be
  prevented
• Assumption two by taking a recommended positive
  action, an individual can avoid a negative health
  condition
• YEAH! participants are taught the benefits of
  healthy lifestyle choices to prevent obesity
• Assumption three an individual believes he/she
  can smoothly and successfully take health action
  to prevent a negative health consequence
• YEAH! participants are taught that their healthy
  lifestyle choices can easily fit into their lives
  and the lives of their peers and in the club
  setting

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Outcomes

• Six 1,000 mini-grants were awarded to
  participants that demonstrated potential in
  carrying out activities and strategies to support
  the YEAH message

Flagler county future problem solvers have begun
work on a gym for kids.
Florida 4-H state level leadership Council has
committed to adopting Healthy Lifestyles
promotion as their theme for the year and have
been working to address the issue across the
state within their organization
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YEAH video
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Thank you

• We would like to say a special thank you to
  former Florida Department of Health Secretary Dr.
  John Agwunobi, whose belief in the power of youth
  advocacy shaped this initiative.
• We would also like to thank our primary youth
  based organization the Florida 4-H for their
  continued support and involvement.

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• For more information
• Katie Rainka, YEAH Coordinator
• [phone]
• Katie_Rainka_at_doh.state.fl.us
• Visit
• www.doh.state.fl.us/family/yeah
• http//www.connectwithkids.com/YEAH/