172451 A model for campus partnerships for better health

Monday, October 27, 2008: 2:30 PM

Deirdra A. Murphy, DPT, MS, MHA , Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Cynthia M. Ferrara, PhD , Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
Introduction: “A Model for Campus Partnership for Better Health” is an interdisciplinary initiative designed to develop partnerships and coalitions to increase physical activity and improve nutrition at an urban university community. The purpose of the initiative is to create environmental and policy changes combined with informational approaches based on a socio-ecological model to facilitate behavior change for a campus population.

Methods: Coalitions were strategically developed to plan and coordinate interventions as ‘champions for change'. Environmental and policy interventions included parking fees, implementation of a bike share program, point of decision signage, and media campaigns. Changes in nutrition and physical activity were measured through food volume purchasing data, transportation data, self-report survey, process evaluation, qualitative analysis of focus groups, stair well usage, and bike share program data.

Results. Volume purchasing data during one semester suggest improvements in nutritional choices in dining halls. Bikeability audits observed an average of 67% of bikes not locked to bike racks. Campus administration's response included purchase of additional bike racks and implementation of a bike share program. Walkability audits suggest the campus is moderately walkable and could benefit from improvements, including better sidewalk maintenance and safety. Analysis of the student focus groups suggests college students identified the need for more education for healthy food options and physical activity. Time and work constraints were significant barriers to physical activity. Students identified environmental changes to the campus environment that would help them incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, such as promotion of walking and bike paths, bike racks and campus beautification. Pre-intervention self-report survey results indicate that 27% of the respondents do not exercise at all. Post-intervention survey results are pending following implementation of policy and environmental changes.

Implications: This study serves as a model for environmental and policy interventions at the community level to increase physical activity and nutrition.

Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify effective environmental and policy interventions to increase physical activity and improve nutrition at the community level. 2. Evaluate various aspects of the implementation process of the environmental and policy interventions aimed to increase physical activity and improve nutrition on a college campus. 3. Discuss the potential to replicate the environmental and policy interventions to other campuses and communities

Keywords: Health Promotion, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was involved in the development, implementation, and acquiring grant funding for the project, "A model for campus partnerships for better health".
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

See more of: Promoting Physical Activity Through Environmental and Policy Change
See more of: Food and Nutrition