Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116675

Janel M. Heinrich, MPH, MA¹, Susan C. Scrimshaw, PhD², Noel Chavez, PhD, RD³, and Myrtis Sullivan, MD, MPH². (1) School of Public Health, University of Illinois-Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St., Rm 1184 (MC 923), Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-6447, jheinr2@uic.edu, (2) School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, (3) School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2035 W. Taylor, Chicago, IL 60612

RAP, Rapid Anthropological Assessment Procedures, have been used globally since the early 1980's to assess community perspectives on health and health programs. This paper describes the development of a version of RAP which focuses on childhood and youth obesity prevention in diverse communities using participatory methods. Members of CLOCC (Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children) representing health professionals and community leaders, elementary and high school youth participating in the UIC HPPI (Health Professions Partnership Initiative), and other culturally diverse individuals contributed to the design of this assessment manual. This paper will present the manual methodology and describe participant's views of how weight, physical activity and related concepts can be discussed in cultural and age appropriate ways to design interventions. Conversations with youth and adult participants revealed that the terms ‘overweight' and ‘obesity' are often used synonymously and are not assigned meaning until an individual (or his/her family member) experiences an obesity related health complication. In addition, 'overweight' is perceived as the new “normal” weight. Given the rise in overweight/obesity in the United States, many children and adults are no longer embarrassed by their weight or do not think of themselves as overweight. Normal or average weight people, children especially, are viewed as unhealthy. The nation's health will continue to be at risk if people see overweight and physically inactivity as the norm. The development of this RAP manual is unusual in that children, youth and adult community members participated in its design, which should increase its validity and acceptability

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