January 4, 2006

Purdue Extension effort to promote healthy communities

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - It takes a village to raise a child and apparently help keep him from getting fat. That's part of the idea behind a Purdue University Cooperative Extension effort to help form wellness coalitions in communities across the state of Indiana.

While targeted to promoting healthy lifestyles for people of all ages, the effort called Healthy People, Healthy Communities is largely based on a program to combat childhood obesity.

The uniqueness of this effort is its multi-dimensional approach. In each county of the state, Purdue Extension educators in all program areas will work collectively to bring a variety of local resources together to enhance community health.

"We are taking a holistic approach to healthy living," said Karen Zotz, Purdue Extension program leader in consumer and family sciences.

This effort will kickoff Friday (Jan. 6) with a statewide videoconference focused on resources available to Indiana communities to help them create healthier environments. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and may be seen at 35 sites across the state. For information on viewing sites, contact the local Purdue Extension office or call (888) EXT-INFO.

The videoconference builds off of a Purdue Extension program called Children and Weight: What Communities Can Do, which was adapted from a program at the University of California.

"Real behavior change is necessary to prevent and treat obesity," said Connie Weaver, head of the Purdue Department of Foods and Nutrition and one of the videoconference panelists. "What we have learned is that changes in the environment sustain real change and occur with community support."

For example, Weaver said Purdue is leading a multi-state research project that uses an interactive Web site to help promote healthy weight in adolescents. Posted at the site are assignments or tasks for local groups to determine the solutions together.

"It involves cooperative learning. Hopefully it will be more effective than educational efforts alone that point out the risks of obesity," she said.

While much of the emphasis on healthy living is tied to the foods people eat, the Healthy People, Healthy Communities approach will encompass many factors that contribute to health and weight problems.

"We know that fitness is important too, but many of our communities, particularly in rural areas, lack fitness resources," Zotz said. "It's tough to walk or run in the winter in some communities. Parents often find it difficult to find play areas for children due to lack of recreation facilities."

Zotz said even aesthetic changes are important.

"People are attracted to communities that have pleasing landscapes and walking paths," she said. "Welcoming surroundings encourage people to get out and be active in the environment."

As part of this effort, Zotz said Extension educators will partner with many community groups to create coalitions to identify and address specific local problems with regard to health and well-being issues.

"Each coalition will tackle concerns specific to its community's needs," she said. "In cases where such coalitions already exist, Purdue Extension will offer to provide educational resources to help guide and facilitate healthy lifestyles."

Examples of Purdue Extension programs that could help these efforts include nutrition programs; parenting and youth programs; landscaping and environmental expertise; economic and community development resources; and help in locating and attracting funding opportunities.

Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722; forbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Karen Zotz, (765) 494-8252; kzotz@purdue.edu

Connie Weaver, (765) 494-8231; weavercm@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Note to Journalists: Journalists who would like to view or cover the Jan. 6 videoconference may do so by contacting their local Purdue Extension office or by calling (888) EXT-INFO.

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