Developing community-based strategies to reduce obesity and diabetes in East and South Los Angeles utilizing multiple methodological techniques

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

3401.0: Monday, November 05, 2007 - 5:15 PM

Abstract #146845

Valerie F. Ruelas, LCSW¹, Ellen Iverson, MPH², Mandy Graves, RD, MPH³, Lucy Montoya¹, Anne Peters, MD¹, Francine Kaufman, MD⁴, and Michele Kipke, PhD⁵. (1) Medicine/Endocrinology, University of Southern California, 6430 Sunset Blvd., Ste. 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90028, (2) Community Health Outcomes and Intervention Research Program, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #30, Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323-361-3110, elleni@chla.usc.edu, (3) Community Diabetes Initiative, University of Southern California, 245 S. Fetterly Avenue, Room 2037, Los Angeles, CA 90022, (4) Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Mailstop #61, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (5) Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #30, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Background: Obesity and overweight has reached epidemic proportions nationally. Los Angeles County is one of the epicenters for this public health crisis. Over 50% of the county's adult population and 40% of children are overweight or obese, which leads to various chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes. Methods: Multiple methodological assessments were utilized to pinpoint the socio-cultural and environmental factors that contribute to obesity. Data collection methods included: 1) qualitative interviews with 110 community leaders and residents, 2) inventory of 61 grocery stores, 3) systematic observations of community parks, 4) community resource mapping, 5) geospatial analysis of fast food venues relative to schools, and 6) random digit dial telephone survey (250 residents in each targeted community). Results: The Keck Diabetes Prevention Initiative and its Community Advisory Boards utilized community assessment findings to develop community-based strategies to reduce obesity and diabetes in two high-risk communities of Los Angeles (South LA – 90059 and East LA – 90022) Results provided insight to the pivotal role food plays within families, their social networks and local formal and informal economies. Several barriers to healthy eating and physical activity were identified including: lack of knowledge, safety in public parks, limited resources and, stress induced by poverty, low literacy, violence, and disenfranchisement. Strategies were unique to each community, however, both had specific interventions that were family-focused, culturally and linguistically relevant, involved cooking demonstrations, included day care, increased physical activity opportunities and access to healthy foods, and focused on improving physical activity, nutrition education and food services in schools.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to

identify various methods to assess factors that contribute to decisions about diet, physical activity, and healthcare utilization,
utilize assessment results to develop strategies to prevent and treat obesity and type 2 diabetes and promote healthy lifestyle choices and,
identify the role of community advisory boards in community assessment and intervention planning.

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Reducing Disparities: Focus on Obesity

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA