Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
Obesity is a costly global epidemic and is one of the most significant challenges facing the health care system. Oklahoma ranks 6th in the United States for high rates of adult obesity. Two rural counties in eastern Oklahoma have adult obesity rates exceeding 40%; these are Adair County at 41.3% and Muskogee County at 40.6%. In addition to geographic location, there is a disproportionate rate of obesity based on ethnic and socioeconomic status, with Native Americans being 50% more likely to be obese compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In Adair County, 45% of the population identifies as Native American and 29% of the population lives below the poverty level. Similarly, in Muskogee County, 19% of the population identifies as Native American, and 21.4% are below the poverty rate. Two modifiable factors contributing to obesity include diet and inactivity. In both counties 4 of every 5 adults report poor dietary quality and approximately 1 of every 3 reported not being physically active. Oklahoma is unique in that efforts are underway in both counties using policy, systems and environmental (PSE) approaches to increase the availability of healthy food and safe places for people to be physically active. However, county health assessments, representatives from our Native American tribal nations, and county leaders report that in general, the populace lacks the social capital to access and utilize the resources known to be protective against obesity. Based on the Public Health Ecological Model and Social Capital Theory, the purpose of this proposed project is to increase access and utilization of healthy food and physical activity resources in Adair and Muskogee counties, including our Native American citizens. This will be accomplished by building social capital through leveraging the synergistic services of Cooperative Extension, trusted professionals, and Native American and county partners currently using PSE efforts. Methods to increase social capital include a healthy eating and active living referral program to Cooperative Extension Master Wellness events designed to connect people to healthy food outlets and safe places for physical activity. Baseline and intermediate outcome measures include: 1) access to healthy food and safe places for physical activity; 2) programs that connect county and Native American residents to healthy food sources and places for physical activity and 3) number of people utilizing the healthy food resources and safe places for physical activity. Long term outcomes include increased purchasing of healthy foods and increased physical activity.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
