A guide for developing intervention tools addressing environmental factors to improve diet and physical activity.
Low-income populations have an elevated risk of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Environmental factors influence health behaviors that contribute to obesity. Although low-income neighborhoods may pose barriers to healthy behaviors, they may also have health-promoting environmental features (e.g., produce stands, walking trails). Thus, a potentially effective intervention strategy is to help individuals identify and overcome neighborhood barriers by making use of community resources that support a healthy diet and physical activity. The authors describe the formative research process undertaken to develop two community-focused intervention tools to complement a clinic-based cardiovascular disease risk-reduction program for underserved women. Literature review, community exploration, and examination of Internet and print resources contributed to development of a neighborhood assessment with tip sheets and a community resource guide. These tools were finalized using community members' feedback. This formative process can serve as a guide for other health promotion programs to create and use similar tools.
Jilcott
Stephanie B
SB
Department of Nutrition, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Laraia
Barbara A
BA
Evenson
Kelly R
KR
Lowenstein
Lisa M
LM
Ammerman
Alice S
AS
D000328:Adult; D003151:Community Health Centers; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009657:North Carolina; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013664:Teaching Materials; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology