As part of the Georgia Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Initiative carried out by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Departments of Foods and Nutrition at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia conducted twelve focus groups in eleven rural and urban areas of Georgia. The primary objective of this work was to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among Georgia residents by determining environmental and policy supports and barriers to healthy eating and physical activity and to solicit ideas about community resources needed to foster healthy eating and physical activity. One hundred twenty low-income participants represented seven target populations: African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, the elderly, youths, rural residents, and non-sedentary workers. We observed some universal themes across groups with respect to social supports, the environment, and specific messages. The following objectives should be primary considerations for future development of environmental and policy community interventions impacting healthy eating and physical activity: (1) incorporate age-appropriate buddy systems as a strategy for helping initiate and maintain healthy behavior; (2) build community support in various forms such as walking trails and free or low-cost community centers; (3) build healthy eating and physical activity into community social activities; (4) provide point-of-purchase assistance, taste tests, and recipes in grocery stores; (5) provide nutritional values of foods and offer healthy choices in restaurants. These findings will serve as one step in determining the plan for prevention of cardiovascular disease in Georgia.
Learning Objectives: 1. List environmental supports and barriers for healthy eating and physical activity. 2. Discuss age as a major determinant of population differences in perceived barriers and supports for healthy eating and physical activity. 3. Describe the "buddy system" as a strategy for helping initiate and maintain healthy behavior. 4. Recognize desired policy and environmental changes desired by community residents to support healthy eating and physical activity.
Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Community Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The University of Georgia
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.