Adverse health conditions are associated with poor dietary patterns and low levels of physical activity. Conditions linked to poor diets and inactivity include obesity and other chronic diseases, and those outcomes are more likely to affect certain populations and geographic regions. Sixteen of Ohio’s 88 counties (18%) have an adult obesity prevalence over 40%.
Policy, system, and environment changes are needed to provide healthier options because behaviors are influenced by multiple factors across multiple levels. Evidence supports using food guidelines, transportation policies, and early care and education strategies to increase access to healthier foods and places for physical activity. OSU Extension is well-positioned to partner with communities to effectively implement such strategies, through organizational capacity and leadership expertise for the proposed Ohio Healthy Opportunities Project or “Ohio HOP”.
By leveraging partnerships and proven resources among Extension, Public Health, and community-based organizations and coalitions, this project will (1) increase access to healthier food by promoting Ohio’s Good Food Here food service and nutrition guidelines and coordinating uptake and expansion of Produce Perks fruit and vegetable voucher incentives, (2) increase access to physical activity by developing policies and plans that support safe and accessible opportunities for physical activity, and (3) increase the number of Early Care and Education programs that are impacted by Farm to ECE improvements by implementing local level policies and activities to support purchasing, serving, and teaching about local foods in ECE settings. We will work with county Extension professionals, community stakeholders and residents in two of the eligible counties, Lawrence and Fayette Counties, to achieve these outcomes through empowered community engagement.