Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
There is increasing recognition that community-based approaches may have merit in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. The “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana” program supported twelve projects that addressed the root causes of obesity through integrated community-level changes. Partnerships provided community-based obesity prevention by promoting healthier eating and/or physical activity through enhanced infrastructure, policy changes, and programming. To evaluate whether the program resulted in changes in healthy eating and/or physical activity among adults, surveys were conducted pre- and postintervention among participants. Participants who were exposed to physical activity programs were more likely to adopt the consumption of fruits (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [1.1, 3.6]), were more likely to eat vegetables once per day (p =.028), and were more likely to participate in physical activity (p =.053). Participants who were exposed to healthy eating programs were more likely to eat fruit once per day (p =.035), were more likely to eat vegetables at least once per day (p =.008), and were more likely to participate in physical activity (p =.018). In conclusion, there is some indication that the Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana program produced changes in health behaviors among program participants; however, the sustainability of these changes will require further evaluation.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Health Promotion Practice
First Page
106
Last Page
113
Recommended Citation
Broyles, S., Gollub, E., Tohme, A., & Katzmarzyk, P. (2020). Improving Health Behaviors Through Community Engagement: Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana. Health Promotion Practice, 21 (1), 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839918792018