Thumb Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Campaign

Rural Health Care Services Grant; $150,000 Year 1, $125,000 Year 2, and $100,000 in Year 3

Applicant: Tuscola County Health Department on behalf of the Thumb Steps Up Task Force

Contact: Ann Hepfer (email) Address: 1309 Cleaver Road, Suite B, Caro, MI 48723 Phone: 989-673-8114, ext 115 Fax: 989-673-6191

Grant Summary of Components

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% of adult residents and 40% of youths 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 will partner with three MSU Extension Services, health departments in Huron and Sanilac County, and rural hospitals to implement the project. The Task Force has four long term goals: 1) Increase the proportion of adults who are at a healthy weight (BMI) from 33.8% to 38.8% by 2015; 2) Reduce the proportion of adults who are obese (BMI) from 28.8% to 26.8% by 2015; 3) Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents that are overweight or obese from 40% to 30% by 2015; and 4) Increase the proportion of children and adolescents ages six to 19 years whose intake of meals and snacks at school contributes to good overall dietary quality.

Based on CDC research and state models, the Thumb Steps Up Task Force has developed a Community Wide Campaign that goes beyond health education. The campaign is based on Center for Disease Control recommended programs and state models. 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 in order 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. Major outcomes include:

• Outcomes 1 & 2: 60% of focus group participants will indicate social marketing messages are credible and have the ability to influence behavior.
• Outcome 3: 90% 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: % of youth exhibiting healthy eating behaviors will increase significantly.
• Outcome 8: % of youth exhibiting physical activity behaviors will increase significantly.