Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity
Obesity, nutrition and physical activity is more than just diet and exercise. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, good nutrition can not only influence weight but can also reduce chronic disease risk factors. Influences on diet and nutrition can include physical factors, such as the presence of grocery stores in neighborhoods or the placement of healthy foods on eye-level shelves, but also social factors, such as social and cultural norms, food and agriculture policies and social supports. Physical activity provides a number of health benefits including lowering the risk of chronic disease and early death. Influences on physical activity come from a wide variety of sources including physical access and environmental factors, community safety, individual perceptions and expectations, age, gender and history of activity. Together nutrition and physical activity make up two key components of overall health and can significantly influence an individual's length of life.
Goal:
1. Reduce obesity in children and adults in the Tri-County through creating environments that promote healthful nutrition and regular physical activity.
Sources: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Nutrition and Weight Status, Overview. Retrieved from: healthypeople.gov. Physical Activity, Overview. Retrieved from: healthypeople.gov
Partners
Charleston Healthy Business Challenge
College of Charleston
Farm to Institution
Healthy Tri-County Obesity, Nutrition & Physical Activity Subcommittee
Lowcountry Food Bank
Lowcountry Local First
SC Department of Agriculture
SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
SC Department of Social Services
Tri-County Food Alliance
Action Plan
1. Monitor and update farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA's, grocery stores, wholesale distributors.
2. Monitor and update which organizations will accept SNAP, WIC, senior vouchers, etc. and compare with usage data.
3. Link various agency maps of SNAP, WIC & senior voucher distribution sites for single food access map.
4. Complete gap analysis of fruit and vegetable access points.
5. Develop recommendations for closing identified gaps.
6. Utilizing identified recommendations, increase access points to fruits and vegetables for adults and children into workplace, faith-based and community organization sites.
Action Plan
1. Coordinate and develop a plain-language consumer resource for fruit and vegetable access points, appropriate across all sectors in the Tri-County region.
2. Share the resource created with consumers.
Action Plan
1. Engage Charleston Moves, Coastal Conservation League, BCD COG, city planners, SCDOT, CARTA & law enforcement to discuss safe transportation routes. Host a charrette to present goals, identified gaps and address identified gaps.
2. Increase awareness of public officials about access to safe transportation routes throughout the tri-county area.
Action Plan
1. Incorporate and maintain nutrition education for adults and children in workplaces, faith-based and community organizations.
2. Incorporate and maintain nutrition education in schools through the gardens, school cafeteria, classrooms, morning announcements, after school activities, etc. (e.g. Team Nutrition Toolkit)
3. Convene a networking meeting with key stakeholders that complete nutrition education in the community. Utilize various assessments to identify areas of need (e.g. Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) survey).
4. Identify funding, availability, access, and/or resources to educate adults on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Partners
College of Charleston
Lowcountry Food Bank
MUSC Boeing Center for Children's Wellness
School Districts
Action Plan
1. Increase Farm-to-School initiatives (e.g. school gardens, taste testing, providing/promoting locally grown, farm field trips, school-based farmers markets).
2. Increase participation in the Smarter Lunchroom Movement.
Action Plan
1. Assess and identify current open community use practice and policies at the school and district level.
2. Educate school district boards, staff and PTAs on the benefits and of implementation of open community use practices and policies.
3. Identify additional physical activity access points.
Action Plan
1. Convene a networking meeting with key stakeholders in the community to develop recommendations for identifying and expanding bicycle/pedestrian, trails, open community use schools, swimming pools, safe active living opportunities and gardens (in and outside of schools).
2. Collect data on student walking, bus riding and reasons for bus riding, if applicable. Use data to identify areas that are safely walkable for both student and community use.
3. Build awareness about benefits of walking and biking.
Action Plan
1. Support the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Assessment compiled by the University of South Carolina to determine gaps.
2. Link agency physical activity maps (e.g. maps from Eat Smart Move More, Let’s Go, SC trails, BCD COG walk / bike plan, Charleston County Parks and Recreation, and Peoples 2 Parks).
3. Share the comprehensive physical activity map created with consumers.
Action Plan
1. Assess and identify organizations that are promoting water intake in community sectors (e.g. schools, employers, etc.).
Action Plan
1. Convene a networking meeting with local key stakeholders in the community who are promoting breastfeeding (e.g. hospitals, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, SC Program for Infant and Toddler Care, La Leche League, SC Breastfeeding Coalition, WIC).
2. Promote and support breastfeeding-friendly locations and policies, such as on-site breastfeeding in childcare settings, schools and in the workplace.
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