A%20Diet%20and%20Physical%20Activity%20Initiative%20in%20a%20Rural%20Area

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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
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Objective

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

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Initiative Service Area Rapides Foundation
Service Area (RFSA)
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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

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Increase in Obesity Prevalence () Among U.S.
Children Adolescents
BMI gt 95th percentile
Source CDC, National Center for Health
Statistics, National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHNES). Ogden Carroll
(2010).
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Changes in Child Adolescent Obesity Prevalence
() RFSA vs. US
BMIgt 95th percentile
Sources CDC, National Center for Health
Statistics, NHANES, 2005-2006 and 2009 2010
The Rapides Foundation Community Health
Assessment, 2010
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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 gt 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
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TASKS PHASE I
Gantt Chart Phase I
MONTHS
June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.






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
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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

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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?

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School Summit

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

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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.

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TASKS PHASE II
Phase II
Dec. 2008 Jan. 2009 Feb. 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009





Planning grant offered
CDCs school Health Index Process
Diet Physical Activity
School Health Institute
School Implementation Grant offered for 2009 -
2010
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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

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• Thank you!

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Questions?