The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58054

Marc B. Schure, MS¹, Barbara Wheeler, MS¹, Sylvia Moore, PhD, RD², and Suzanne Pelican, MS, RD³. (1) WIN the Rockies -- Montana AHEC, Montana State University, 310 Culbertson Hall, PO Box 170520, Bozeman, MT 59717-0520, 406-994-5819, mschure@montana.edu, (2) UW Division of Medical Education and Public Health, University of Wyoming, PO Box 4238, Laramie, WY 82071, (3) UW Cooperativ Extension Service, University of Wyoming, PO Box 3354, Laramie, WY 82071

WIN the Rockies is a community-based research, education and outreach project in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The overall goals are two-fold: to enhance the well-being of individuals by improving their attitudes and behaviors related to food, physical activity, and body image; and, to help build communities’ capacities to foster and sustain these changes. Ultimately, the project seeks to reverse the rising tide of obesity by focusing on prevention and health rather than weight. This presentation highlights a variety of interventions being implemented in a small rural Montana community. These interventions include a pedometer walking program; WIN Kids, a 12-lesson curriculum designed for 5th & 6th graders; youth programs designed to encourage body-size acceptance and improved self-esteem; A New You: Health for Every Body, a 10-lesson curriculum for adults; and, an after-school physical activity program for elementary students. In addition, a media campaign is being conducted to convey positive ideas towards health, physical activity, fruits and vegetables, and eating. The research component includes youth and adult cohort data collection via written surveys, physical assessments and blood analysis (adult only). In addition, data are being collected through cross sectional surveys, community portraits, focus groups and individual interviews. More information can be found at www.uwyo.edu/wintherockies. Supported by award #0004499 through CSREES/USDA.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Identify potential inteventions aimed at improving individuals' attitudes and behaviors related to food, physical activity, and body image for small rural Montana communities.
• Describe the innovative methods utilized to collect and evaluate data in a community-based research, education, and outreach project.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Health Education Strategies

Related Web page: www.uwyo.edu/wintherockies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.