Church leader’s perspectives on coalition development to improve nutrition and physical activity in rural communities (624.2)

Abstract

Obesity disparities persist among rural areas and the South, which often have higher rates of obesity and comorbidities. Churches in rural areas generally provide support, stability, facilities and resources which makes them ideal for nutrition and physical activity interventions. Community‐engaged participatory research partnerships between academic researchers and church leaders may be beneficial for guiding interventions in rural, underserved communities using health ministries. The aim of this study is to determine church leader’s perspectives on the infrastructure of the Coalition for South Mississippi Church Health partnership and benefits and barriers of church involvement in community health. During a series of focus groups, African American and Caucasian church leaders of various denominations discussed health ministries, health disparities of the congregations and local communities, and collaboration of churches, academic researchers, and key stakeholders to address obesity and preventable chronic disease. Data was transcribed and organized using thematic content analysis. Observations collected from the focus groups shared reoccurring themes, including: integration of church spaces and resources, need of external resources from nutrition experts, partnership of churches with multiple denominations, and barriers to intervention. This study uniquely identified that church leaders recognize the need to collaborate with other churches, despite denominational differences, to address obesity and ‐related issues, which has great implications for nutrition and physical activity interventions in the rural South.