Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Solutions to the obesity epidemic must come from multiple sources, involve multiple levels and sectors in the community, and build on the synergy of multiple strategies. The Healthier Together initiative is implementing environmental change strategies for obesity prevention through Extension at the community level in Calhoun and Taliaferro Counties, where the CDC determined over 40% of adults are obese. In these counties, community coalitions are working with other partners to choose, direct, and support the environmental changes most appropriate for their community. These changes are supported by Extension-led education and promotion efforts. This project is currently underway, and the communities have already begun to build community gardens and walking trails, pursue opportunities for Farmers’ Markets, and make community design changes to increase physical activity. In addition, Extension nutrition, gardening, and physical activity programming that was not previously available in these counties has begun. Coalition members have taken ownership of the program and are pursuing sustainable, long-term projects that will benefit their community’s health. This session will describe the process of engaging the community to develop coalitions, the action planning process of the coalitions, and how Extension leaders helped the communities move beyond one-time events and direct education strategies to value policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes for their communities. Barriers and facilitators to introducing PSE changes will be discussed, and workshop attendees will practice addressing similar scenarios in groups. Attendees will also have the chance to brainstorm strategies for supporting and promoting PSE change through Extension channels.