Monday, October 24, 10:30
a.m.-noon
A Healthier You: Communicating the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans to Specific Populations
Author
C. Dobday, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Rockville, MD.
Background
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) form the
basis for national nutrition policy in the United States. The
DGA were first issued in 1980 and are updated every five years
by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
Agriculture following a review of the current science by a
formal federal advisory panel. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines were
released by the Secretaries of HHS and USDA in January, 2005,
along with a brochure developed with the consumer in mind. HHS
is developing additional materials including ones targeted to
older adults.
Methods
We will discuss the qualitative research related to the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans that influenced the development
of materials, including research specific to the older
population. Additionally, we will discuss the tracking mechanism
for the Dietary Guidelines and describe the roll-out plan for
new materials.
Results
An understanding of the consumer feedback and lessons
learned that might prove helpful for using information from the
Dietary Guidelines for your own programs and materials; plus, a
heads-up on materials forthcoming.
Discussion
Plans for the future and strategic alliances – how
can we all work together to have an even greater impact!
Back to Top
Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors
Among Limited Resource Preschoolers in Pennsylvania
Author
K.A. Alvarnaz, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg,
PA.
Background
The Pennsylvania Departments of Health (DOH) and
Education (PDE) have collaborated to implement the Color Me
Healthy (CMH) program in seventeen Pennsylvania counties
during the last two years. The CMH program utilizes an
innovative and fun curriculum to educate preschoolers, from
limited resource families, about healthy food and physical
activity.
Methods
In Pennsylvania, the CMH program was implemented in
childcare centers, Family Literacy sites, and Head Start
classrooms, and has educated more than 1200 childcare
providers within the two-year period. A unique component of
the CMH program encourages childcare providers to model
healthy behaviors and provides them with resources for mental,
nutritional, and physical health. In addition, CMH sites may
distribute monthly parental newsletters that share brief
lessons and educational concepts that reinforce key messages
at home, such as sharing a game that involves physical
activity or a recipe that children can make for their family.
Results
Based on positive evaluations and outcomes achieved
during its first two years of implementation, the CMH program
was expanded to seventeen additional counties in the 2005-2006
year. Eight-week follow-up evaluations of the CMH training
showed the majority of respondents (86%) were using one or
more components of the CMH program. Positive changes in the
children, in terms of fruit and vegetable recognition (87%)
and healthy eating (81%), were demonstrated. Pre and post
surveys of parents of children participating in the CMH
program also indicated a significant reduction in the amount
of television time and an increase in the amount of physical
activity.
Discussion
In July 2005, a small study of the CMH program was
conducted in two Pennsylvania counties. This study evaluated
effective methods of increasing at-home fruit and vegetable
consumption among CMH participants, and researched the
barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption that limited
resource families face. The results of this study will be
shared.
Back to Top
Cookin' Up Health: An Interactive Nutrition Program
Author
I.A. Tessaro, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
Background
Cookin' Up Health is a culturally targeted and
individualized tailored nutrition intervention that uses a
computer-based interactive format appropriate for a
low-income, low- literate, rural population of women many of
whom have limited access to the "digital society." The program
emphasizes increasing vegetable and fruit intake and
decreasing fat consumption, focusing on enhancing behavioral
capability and self-efficacy and on the benefits, barriers and
cues to action to initiate behavior change. This intervention
modality was chosen to reach women in communities with limited
resources, lack of transportation, and few nutrition
educators.
Methods
Using a cooking show theme, Cookin' Up Health
demonstrates step-by-step meal preparation and emphasizes
healthy selection and portion control. Users watch native West
Virginia cooks prepare healthy variations on traditional West
Virginia favorites and are introduced to new healthy recipes.
Woven in with the recipes are information and tips on
nutrition. The program is not dependent on the user's reading
skills. All directions and information are audio-based, with
text-based reproduction of key audio points where appropriate.
Users interact with the program by touching the screen rather
than using a keyboard or mouse. Content is presented through a
combination of full-screen, full-motion video and pictorial
animation with audio voiceover.
Results
Focus groups were conducted with women in two rural
counties in West Virginia to guide the development of the
intervention. Cookin' Up Health is being used in health care
clinics, churches and communities and in West Virginia
WISEWOMAN, a multilevel educational intervention for
low-income women.
Discussion
New technologies offer an avenue for reaching
individuals who may have difficulty seeking health information
through traditional means. By providing this program through
an interactive modality, users gain knowledge and skills to
prepare healthy foods appropriate for their culture through
active learning, and have the opportunity to engage in and
build confidence in using information technology.
Back to Top
Developing Community-Based Interventions To Impact Healthy
Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors of Low-Income Populations
in Alameda County, California
Author
D.F. Pratt, Alameda County Public Health Department, Oakland,
CA.
Background
Based on formative research conducted in 2003,
the Alameda County Public Health Department designed the
"Healthy Living for life!" campaign, to create and implement
behavior change strategies to empower the target audiences to
adopt healthy living practices by increasing their levels of
awareness and knowledge of nutrition and physical activity.
Methods
The four-part mobilization plan led to securing commitments from
community partners to host nutrition workshops, start walking
clubs, offer healthy food choices at events and meetings, and
promote policies that support healthy eating/physical activity
among employees, members and clients. The centerpiece of the
campaign is the Passport to Healthy Living, which provides
simple steps to start healthy living, provides a tracking log to
encourage increased fruits and vegetables and physical activity
and asks for a personal commitment to change behavior. Passports
were accompanied by a pedometer and over 12,000 were distributed
at community events, workshops, classes, church groups, senior
groups, parent groups, and neighborhood events by
community-based organizations in key neighborhoods after focused
training on the intervention.
Results
After 12 weeks, a telephone survey conducted by Field
Research reported very high awareness rates and behavior
change/intent to change behavior. Knowledge and recall scores
were also high.
Discussion
The Passports are one component of a multi-faceted
program that engages schools, community-based organizations,
community groups, seniors, parks and recreation programs and
worksites to increase healthy eating behavior and increase daily
physical activity. Key to mobilizing toward change is the
Healthy Living Council -- a community capacity building model
for achieving change in schools, churches, senior centers, and
neighborhoods to promote healthy lifestyles. The session will
describe the development, implementation and results of the
Healthy Living for life! campaign and share the concept, design
and successes of the Healthy Living Councils.
Back to Top
Return to Conference Agenda
