The California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families “Building a Healthy Body & Soul”

The California Nutrition Network for

Healthy, Active Families

“Building a Healthy Body & Soul”

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY

INITIATIVE IN STIMULATING CHANGE IN NUTRITION AND

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN AFRICAN AMERICANS

Elaine G. Williams, Ph.D., R,D.Charles R. Drew University

Rates of chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity are disproportionately high in the African American community.

More than 60% of African American men and women in California are overweight or obese.

Health Disparities

Health Disparities

Combined, heart disease and cancer cause over half of all African American deaths.

Cancer and heart disease are leading causes of death for African American youth accounting for one in five deaths in African American teens in California.

Why “5 a Day”?

Results from the 1999 California Dietary Practices Survey showed that fruit and vegetable consumption among African Americans is 3.2 servings/day.

Studies have shown that eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and engaging in regular physical activity significantly reduce the risk for chronic diseases.

AA 5 A DAY Mission

The African American 5 A Day Campaign encourages the improvement of health by empowering the African American community through education, advocacy, and policy development that promotes the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity.

History/Background

Organized in November 1998 as an advisory group of the Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section of the California Department of Health Services.

A membership of concerned California residents, community leaders, ministers, registered dietitians, nurses, doctors, and advocates.

Goals

Identify best ways to communicate, educate and motivate healthy eating and physical activity in African American communities.

2. Develop strategies, provide training and strengthen the role of groups working to promote the health and wellness of African Americans.

Outreach Channels

The AA 5 A Day Campaign is reaching the African American community in places where they eat, work, shop, and spend time with their families:

Churches/Faith-Based Organizations Retailers/Grocery Stores Media: TV, Radio, Print Community Festivals

Channels selected were supported by surveyrespondents when asked where they want to learnabout healthy eating and physical activity.

African American Institutions

• Most Likely to Listen to about Issues on

Nutrition and Physical Activity– 1st - Church (45%)– 2nd - Blacks in Nutrition and

Dietetics (41%)– 3rd - BET (32%)– 4th - African-American Radio

Stations (29%)– 5th - NAACP (22%)

Faith Awardees

• Southern California 10 churches Los Angeles Blacks in Nutrition

and Dietetics• Northern California 2 churches University of California

Extension

Social Ecological Model

LEVELS OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE• Individual• Interpersonal or Group• Institutional or

organizational• Community• Societal or public policy

level

Individual Level

• Nutrition classes/seminars/workshops

• Food Demonstrations• Physical fitness classes• Learn by Mail curriculum• At home fitness program

Interpersonal or Group Level

• Healthy food cook-offs• Walking groups• Monthly or weekly meetings• Team sports• Drill/Step teams• Praise Dancers

Institutional or Organizational Level

• Special Sermons• Healthy Meals or Snacks at

church functions• Nutrition Sabbath/Sundays• Health Stations at Church on

Sundays• Bulletin Board Displays• Literature Racks

Community Level

• Farmers’ Markets• Community Gardens• Community Health Fairs• Community Walk a Thons• Cable TV Shows• Radio talk Shows • Newspaper and Magazine

Articles

Societal or Public Policy Level

• Participation on community, state and national committees, advisory boards, organizations and agencies

• Mayoral Proclamations• Congressional Proclamations• Citywide Coalitions

Evaluation Strategies

• FOCUS GROUPS• SURVEY OF KEY INFORMANTS• SERIAL NUTRITION AND

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SURVEYS• FESTIVAL SURVEYS

Trends in Belief: 5+ Needed forGood Health, 1989-99, by Ethnicity,

Education, and Income

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

89 91 93 95 97 99

Per

cent

of A

dults

$50,000+***

College Grads***

White***

All Adults***

<$15,000***

Latino***

<High School***

African-American

Percent of Adults Reporting Low Daily Fruit andVegetable Intake by Race/Ethnicity by Gender,

California BRFS, 2001

2629

48

22

34

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Yesterday vs. Average Day, 2001

26

5557

35

18

11

Average Day Yesterday0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70Percent of African-American Adults

Servings of Frt and Veg 0-2 3-4 5+

Source: California Department of Health Services, 2002

Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Believed Needed for Good Health, 2001

28

15

56

0-2 Servings 3-4 Servings 5+ Servings0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70Percent of African-American Adults

Source: California Department of Health Services, 2002

Fruits and Vegetables Believed Needed

Stages of Readiness for Change in Fruit and Vegetable Intake, 2001

10

74

16

Precontemplation/ContemplationPreparation

Action/Maintenance0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Percent of African-American Adults

Stage algorithm taken from: Dietary Assessment Resource Manual, Journal of Nutrition, 124 (11S):2308S.Source: California Department of Health Services, 2002

SUMMARY

THE CHURCH IS AN EFFECTIVE MEDIUM FOR DELIVERY NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS AND STIMULATING CHANGE IN AFRICAN AMERICANS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL.