Utilizing Partnerships to Encourage Physical Activity: Lessons Learned from the Best Bones Forever! Community Pilot Program

Introduction: The HHS' Office on Women's Health (OWH) created Best Bones Forever! to improve bone health behaviors, including physical activity, among girls ages 9-14. The Campaign's community pilot program funded coalitions to implement a family behavior change program (BodyWorks), modified to include bone health information and activities, including more physical activity. Methods: OWH funded three coalitions to improve bone health behaviors in their communities through four implementations each of the modified BodyWorks program. Outcomes of the modified BodyWorks program were measured via pretest and posttest surveys with BodyWorks participants.

Results: Through partnerships, the pilot sites implemented Best Bones Forever! BodyWorks, which resulted in improved knowledge, attitudes, self efficacy, and physical activity behaviors among parents (n=71) and girls (n=88). Partners included local parks and recreation departments, school-based and youth organizations, churches, and even a pizzeria.

Conclusion/Discussion: An existing behavior change program was effectively enhanced with physical activity modules for girls. Through partnerships, community coalitions were able to implement the Best Bones Forever! BodyWorks. Established coalitions with pre-existing partnerships were more successful in implementing exciting exercise-based community activities. The lessons learned from Best Bones Forever! BodyWorks can serve as a model for other community-based programs seeking to utilize partnerships to promote physical activity.