Recorded presentation

Stephanie Jilcott¹, Alice Ammerman, DrPH, RD¹, Barbara A. Laraia, PhD, MPH, RD², Carmen Samuel-Hodge, PhD, MS, RD¹, Thomas Keyserling, MD, MPH³, Darren DeWalt, MD³, Beverly Garcia, MPH⁴, Sara Lindsley, RN⁵, and Kathryn Bramble, MS⁵. (1) Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1700 Airport Road CB#8140, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8140, (919) 966-7075, jilcott@email.unc.edu, (2) Department of Nutrition, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center, CB #8120, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8120, (3) School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1700 Airport Road CB#8140, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (4) Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1700 Airport Road CB#8140, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (5) New Hanover Community Health Center, the WISEWOMAN Project, 925 N Fourth Street, Wilmington, NC 28401-3450

Background: The environment indirectly affects health by its influence on health behaviors, by making healthy behaviors easier or harder. Few interventions have developed intervention approaches to help individuals address both positive and negative environmental factors. Objective: Collect data to develop and refine intervention tools (used in the context of individual clinic-based counseling sessions) to help midlife, underserved women enrolled in a CVD risk-reduction program (the WISEWOMAN Project) take advantage of neighborhood assets (parks, produce stands) and overcome barriers (fast food, crime). Method: We recruited 30 women from various community venues in Southeastern North Carolina for in-depth interviews, which were taped, transcribed, read and analyzed for their content regarding community assets and barriers, motivation to advocate for helpful changes in the community, and tips for overcoming neighborhood barriers. Results: Interview respondents reported that produce stands usually had healthier and fresher produce, but that such places were not easily accessible. Increased fast food access, lack of affordable all-women’s gyms, and crime were mentioned as barriers to healthy behaviors in the community. Differences in environmental assets and barriers between urban and rural areas were described. Most women supported the notion of advocacy for neighborhood changes, but mentioned barriers to advocacy, such as finding leadership and rallying community members. Using these data, the intervention tools were finalized for use in the WISEWOMAN Project. Conclusion: By identifying and addressing salient assets and barriers, the intervention tools should facilitate WISEWOMAN participants’ ability to access neighborhood assets and circumvent neighborhood barriers to healthy nutrition and PA.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to discuss possible community assets and barriers to a healthy diet and physical activity and identify methods for developing intervention components to address such community factors.

Keywords: Nutrition, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The WISEWOMAN Project was funded through a grant to the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (one of the 28 national prevention research centers) from CDC.

Recorded presentation