Taekwondo at Wellness Works: A Community-Campus Initiative to Reduce Childhood Obesity in Rural Georgia

Background: Over one-third of children in Georgia are overweight or obese, with low-income and African American children at especially high risk. In the rural southeast Georgia county involved in this study, 30% of children live in poverty and over half the population is African American. There is a dearth of community-based fitness opportunities. Taekwondo at Wellness Works (TKWW), a subsidized fitness program for children, was initiated by a community-campus partnership in response to this need. A joint research and service endeavor, TKWW aims to serve as a model for developing rural obesity-reduction programs.

Purpose: This study evaluates the implementation of the program, with a focus on the community-campus partnership, perceptions of stakeholders involved, and early impact on participating children.

Methods: Evaluation was conducted using surveys, focus groups, interviews, and observations. Results were shared with the Community Board and program staff.

Results: Children and parents report increases in overweight and obese children's self-confidence, self-discipline, and physical activity. Parents appreciate the ‘structure' the program provides their children, whose lives are often unstable. Staff and Community Board members also view the program positively, but face struggles over facilities, resources, staff turnover, and transport. The community-campus partnership obtained funding, but is strained over issues of control and the relative priority of research versus fitness class delivery. Lack of oversight and communication regarding BMI and fitness assessments has led to concerns over early data quality.

Conclusions: TKWW provides an excellent case study of both the challenges and rewards of campus-community programs to reduce childhood obesity.