Mobilizing Rural Low-Income Communities to Assess and Improve the Ecological Environment to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Abstract

ObjectiveEnhance capacity of rural, low-income communities to prevent childhood obesity.DescriptionSeven intervention and seven comparative communities (with their community coalitions) completed Child Ecological Model assessments and selected nutrition and physical activity interventions from a developed “menu” of approaches to prevent childhood obesity. Community Coaches in the intervention communities support community capacity building.EvaluationCompare effectiveness of coached communities to change environments and policies to prevent childhood obesity.Conclusions and ImplicationsCommunity capacity building with socio-ecological basis and coaching will result in greatest changes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors among those caring for 4-year-olds.FundingUSDA Grant ##2011-68001-30100. ObjectiveEnhance capacity of rural, low-income communities to prevent childhood obesity. Enhance capacity of rural, low-income communities to prevent childhood obesity. DescriptionSeven intervention and seven comparative communities (with their community coalitions) completed Child Ecological Model assessments and selected nutrition and physical activity interventions from a developed “menu” of approaches to prevent childhood obesity. Community Coaches in the intervention communities support community capacity building. Seven intervention and seven comparative communities (with their community coalitions) completed Child Ecological Model assessments and selected nutrition and physical activity interventions from a developed “menu” of approaches to prevent childhood obesity. Community Coaches in the intervention communities support community capacity building. EvaluationCompare effectiveness of coached communities to change environments and policies to prevent childhood obesity. Compare effectiveness of coached communities to change environments and policies to prevent childhood obesity. Conclusions and ImplicationsCommunity capacity building with socio-ecological basis and coaching will result in greatest changes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors among those caring for 4-year-olds. Community capacity building with socio-ecological basis and coaching will result in greatest changes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors among those caring for 4-year-olds.