The Effect of a Multi-tiered Model for Reducing Obesity Risk Factors: Attitude and Behavior Change in a Rural Community

Abstract

While there is increasing interest in reducing obesity, relatively few of these efforts focus on rural communities. A multi-tiered model to reduce obesity risk factors was developed and implemented to change food behavior and health awareness in a rural West Texas community over a one year period. This paper evaluates the project outcomes based on mean comparison of self-reported health behavior and attitude response before and after the intervention. Findings show a significant increase in, a) obesity as cancer risk awareness and b) food nutrition awareness. Also, increased food nutrition awareness should lead to reduced obesity over time as suggested by a regression analysis of obesity risk factors on BMI.