Factors Contributing to Increased Physical Activity and Improved Nutrition to Improve Wellness among Rural Residents

Introduction. A collaboration between local, state, and national entities created a physical activity and nutrition program to improve levels of wellness in a rural community. It employed strategies designed for different levels of the social ecology: community education; policy change; environmental adaptations; workplace programs; physical activity and nutrition classes; and a community coalition. This study addresses the research question, What individual, family and community factors contributed to the successful rural program?

Methods. The study used an imbedded, single-case design and mixed methods, guided by community-based participatory principles. Data was collected through focus groups with community children and adults, post-surveys with participants in physical activity and nutrition classes, and social network analysis of coalition partners. Qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo 10 and modified Grounded Theory approach. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 20.

Results. The three substudies revealed high levels of activity among children and adults; the program’s multi-faceted approach influenced families to change behaviors; the coalition was actively engaged, from policy development to serving healthy foods at weekly farmers markets; and organizational and community policy changes increased access to opportunities for physical activity and improved nutrition. In addition to the active coalition, highly committed, flexible, and entrepreneurial program staff were key factors in program success.

Conclusion. The study identified modifiable factors such as the creation of community coalitions and strategies aimed at different levels of the social ecology. Finding that characteristics of key personnel were essential to the program’s success is much more difficult to replicate in other communities.