Live Healthy in Faith: A faith-based nutrition and physical activity tool kit

According to the United Health Fund, Georgia ranks 43rd among states in the overall citizen health status. The annual cost of obesity in Georgia, from direct health care costs and lost productivity, is estimated at $1.2 billion. The Georgia Student Health Survey (2003) indicated that 33% of middle school students and 26% of high school student are either overweight or obese. Given the importance of lifestyle behaviors in preventing and managing overweight and obesity, and the fundamental influence of faith in many Georgian's lives, Georgia's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative developed a “Live Healthy in Faith “ tool kit for faith community health promotion programs focusing on nutrition and physical activity. The tool kit includes guidelines for developing a health committee, instructions for assessments, suggestions for policy and environmental changes, selected health promotion programs and a month-by-month ideas for nutrition and physical activity strategies. The tool kit was developed by a team of public health professionals who have also provided state-wide training on its use. Authors discuss the process of developing a health promotion tool kit for faith communities, the significance of content and presentation as well as assessment and evaluation methods easily used by faith community health committees. Availability of the tool kit to interested faith communities is presented.