 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Diana E.H. Birkett, MPH, MPA, School of Public Health, Nutritional Sciences Program, University of Washington, 1401 N Taft St, Apt 1202, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-201-7380, diana_birkett@hotmail.com and Donna B. Johnson, RD, PhD, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Nutritional Sciences Program, BOX 353410, Seattle, WA 98195.
Healthy Habits is funded by USDA and has been implemented in all local WIC agencies in Washington State. The purpose is to build local capacity to effectively promote nutrition and physical activity for young, low-income families. Healthy Habits is based on the socio-ecological model and framed by theoretical constructs from “stages of change” and social marketing approaches. Agencies were encouraged to work with community partners. Tools were developed and applied through a process of needs assessment, formative research and evaluation, distribution of materials and messages, and staff training. Agencies were randomly assigned to interventions addressing family meals or family physical activity. A baseline survey was conducted in English and Spanish with 10,030 WIC families and 304 staff. After a 6-month implementation period, during which clinics used elements of the Healthy Habits modules, a follow-up survey was conducted with 9,496 WIC families and 328 staff. Clients and staff reported eating meals with others about 6 times per week, and being physically active 4-5 days per week. 36% of clients and 25% staff reported that their children watched 3 or more hours of TV on an average day. Preliminary analysis revealed increased physical activity and decreased TV-viewing among clients and staff exposed to the Healthy Habits promotional materials. While most agencies understood how to use the Healthy Habits materials, a 61% of agencies found that the lack of translated materials was a significant barrier to implementation. Lessons learned from Healthy Habits will be applied to statewide and national health promotion efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Health Promotion, Community Capacity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grant from USDA to fund program