Healthy Eating and Active Living to Reduce Rural Obesity Through Extension

Research to date has shown that rural communities face greater barriers to healthy eating and being physically active, which contributes to higher rates of obesity and chronic disease compared with their urban counterparts (1, 2). To date, rural communities still face a greater burden with regards to higher rates of obesity relative to their urban counterparts(2). Community-based efforts focused on modifying aspects of the built environment that are unique to rural communities, such as improved access to physical activity resources and venues selling healthy and affordable food, are needed to advance sustainable solutions that improve dietary and health outcomes. Yet, there remain many barriers to improving dietary habits in these often neglected communities. Our project team will address low intake of fruits and vegetables and not meeting physical activity guidelines through collaborations with Extension, School Districts, Public Health, parks and recreation, and other key stakeholders. These collaborations will lead to expanding current Extension programs (Plate It Up Kentucky Proud; Cook Together, Eat Together; Better Bites;) while also developing new efforts to improve dietary intake (incentive programs and vouchers) and physical activity minutes (park challenges). We will employ a socio-ecologic framework to guide our approach, which will include interventions at multiple levels. We will continue to use a community-based participatory model, with a coalition and groups of stakeholders selecting the best, evidence-based ways to improve access to healthy eating and active living in Martin County. Outcomes ¡V As described in the RFA this study team plans to address the outcomes listed but also to provide a detailed description of outcomes related to our site specific proposal. Short-term outcomes: ~ Demonstrated progress on activities to increase access to healthier foods ~ Demonstrated progress on activities to connect safe and accessible places for physical activity Intermediate outcomes: ~ Increased access to places that provide healthier foods ~ Increased access to safe and accessible places for physical activity Long-term outcomes: ~ Increased purchasing of healthier foods ~ Increased physical activity with an emphasis on walking and biking