|
|
Thumb Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Campaign
| Topics |
Health promotion and disease prevention
Obesity
Wellness
|
| States served |
Michigan
|
| Description |
The Thumb Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Campaign is a result of a community health assessment conducted by the Thumb Rural Health Network. Results indicated that the overarching issue related to death rates from heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic disease is obesity. Despite numerous health education programs that address nutrition and physical activity, 66.5 percent of adult residents and 40 percent of youth are overweight or obese. The proposed project is the result of 15 months of research and planning by the task force.
The Tuscola County Health Department will provide project management and partner with three Michigan State University Extension Services, health departments in Huron and Sanilac Counties, and rural hospitals to implement the project. The Task Force has four long term goals: 1) To increase the proportion of adults who are at a healthy body mass index (BMI) from 33.8 percent to 38.8 percent by 2015; 2) To reduce the proportion of adults who are obese from 28.8 percent to 26.8 percent by 2015; 3) To reduce the proportion of children and adolescents that are overweight or obese from 40 percent to 30 percent by 2015; and 4) To increase the proportion of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 years whose intake of meals and snacks at school contributes to good overall dietary quality. |
| Services offered |
The Thumb Steps Up Task Force has developed a community-wide campaign that goes beyond health education. The campaign is based on State models and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended programs. Interventions include community outreach and health promotion. Project activities include a social marketing campaign; community presentations; community activity programs; promoting local and State recognition programs for "Promoting Activity Communities" and "Healthy Eating"; and providing technical assistance to grocers, restaurants, human service providers, governmental bodies, schools, and worksites. The Task Force has emphasized the need to address childhood obesity and reach youth who have a greater propensity for change than adults. Research shows that, to impact youth, the adults and environment that they live in must also be changed. Therefore, children, their families, and the communities where they live will be the priority population targeted for interventions. |
| Results |
Major outcomes include:
Outcomes 1 & 2: 60 percent of focus group participants will indicate social marketing messages are credible and have the ability to influence behavior.
Outcome 3: 90 percent of food outlets/suppliers that participate in an assessment increase their score.
Outcome 4: Pre- and Post-Health Risk Appraisal Reports indicated a significant improvement in health indicators related to obesity.
Outcome 5: Nine communities will receive awards from the Michigan Promoting Active Communities Program by 2009.
Outcome 6: Nine schools complete assessments and have a Health Improvement Plan.
Outcome 7: The percentage of youth exhibiting healthy eating behaviors will increase significantly.
Outcome 8: The percentage of youth exhibiting physical activity behaviors will increase significantly.
|
| Source |
Rural Health Outreach Grantee Directory, 2006
|
| Contact person |
Ann Marie Hepfer
Tuscola County Health Department
1309 Cleaver Road, Suite B
Caro, Michigan 48723
Phone: (989) 673-8114, ext. 115
Fax: (989) 673-6191
E-Mail: ahepfer@tchd.us |
| Date added |
January 18, 2007 |
Summaries of success stories are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the success story contact person directly for the most complete and current information.
|
