December 2007

News from the Eat Smart, Move More NC Leadership Team

(this is a new feature of the Nutrition Update provided by members of the the Eat Smart Move More Leadership Team.

Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs staff and volunteers across North Carolina are engaging youth members in an initiative called Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul. The goal of the Triple Play program is to improve Club members’ knowledge of healthy habits; increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities; and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in positive relationships. Triple Play offers a holistic approach with three key areas of focus:

• Mind: developing a knowledge base to acquire healthy habits, such as making smart food choices, understanding appropriate portion sizes and creating fun and balanced meals (The key element of this component is the “Healthy Habits” nutrition curriculum, which was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.);
• Body: becoming more physically active through daily fitness and fun, including activities to get kids active and moving; and
• Soul: strengthening character and reinforcing positive behavior with activities designed to improve confidence and develop interpersonal skills.

In Wake County, the Boys & Girls Clubs have done a variety of programs and activities to promote healthy lifestyles. Twenty-two Club members set a goal of running in a local 5K race and with the help of adult leaders, trained for and competed in the Old Reliable Run or the Gobbler’s Run. Through this initiative, Clubs have also made changes to their vending machines to ensure that more healthy snacks are offered. This fall, Clubs have also offered dance classes, intramurals in soccer and football, taught nutrition classes, and encouraged members to participate in Triple Play Daily Challenges such as jumping rope, relay races, sit ups, free throw competitions etc, in addition to other organized activities such as street hockey, obstacle courses, etc. At the end of November, basketball season will begin and there will be many practices and games for members ages 6-18.

For more information contact Heather K. Brosz White at hwhite@wakebgc.org.

Active Community and Neighborhood Grant Recipients

May 2007- May 2010
The N.C. Division of Public Health on behalf of the N.C. Public Health Foundation and the John Rex Endowment is pleased to announce the recipients of the Active Community and Neighborhood Grant awards for 2007-2010. The Active Community and Neighborhood Grant Program provides funding for five organizations in Wake County working towards increasing physical activity in community settings for children, youth, and their families. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch in the N.C. Division of Public Health and the N.C. Public Health Foundation are responsible for the administration of these grant funds, provided by the John Rex Endowment.

Gethsemane SDA Church
This project builds on existing neighborhood assets to increase physical activity. It consists of renovating a playground at Gethsemane Seventh Day Adventist Church and constructing a walking trail with physical activity messages to connect the playground and Southeast Raleigh community garden to the Sanderford Road Park and surrounding neighborhood.

Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art will commission site-specific art projects encouraging visitors of all ages and physical abilities to actively explore the Museum Park. The Center for Universal Design will focus on Park accessibility for all mobility levels, surveying trail usability, developing solutions for remediation.

Town of Cary
This project will utilize Fred G. Bond Metro Park (Bond Park) for a sidewalk and greenway enhancement intervention. This intervention will result in the construction of walkways to better connect facilities to trails and greenways, installation of signage to ease navigation and implementation of walking programs. This funding will enable the construction of more than 845 feet of concrete sidewalks and asphalt trails and physical activity programs. This intervention will ensure Bond Park is a safe and convenient place for walking and physical activity.

Town of Holly Springs
This project is a joint effort of both the Engineering Department and Parks and Recreation Department of the Town of Holly Springs. In addition to town departments, the project will benefit Wake County’s Holly Springs Elementary School, with whom the Parks and Recreation department has a joint-use agreement for Jones Park. This project will provide 4524’ of greenway, 1300’ of sidewalk and three crosswalks; providing people powered multi-use access for recreation in the heart of downtown. The connection of Jones Park, Holly Springs Elementary, Veteran’s Park and linkage to existing sidewalks provides a contiguous 6 miles of sidewalk and greenway.

Triangle Transit Authority
This project is a joint effort by the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA), Capital Area Metropolitan Area Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the City of Raleigh to develop and implement a plan to site improved bike and pedestrian amenities at bus stops. These amenities will improve the physical environment and increase the activity levels and transit use of local citizens. A best practices guidance document for municipalities to address future community needs around transit stops will be created.

For more information contact Leigh Haugseth at Leigh.Haugseth@ncmail.net.

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) - YWCA Collaborative to Strengthen Families and Neighborhood

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) - YWCA Collaborative to Strengthen Families and Neighborhood (the Collaborative) is an innovative collaboration between the School of Medicine and the YWCA of Winston-Salem to generate and test ideas that will improve the health of children and families in our community. The mission of the Collaborative is to build mutually beneficial collaborations between community and academic partners that promote the development, implementation, and translation of innovative and sustainable interventions that measurably improve child health by strengthening families and neighborhoods.

The goal of the Collaborative is to become and extension of the physician’s office to assist families with implementing recommendations related to healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity and nutrition, which are associated with obesity. The focus initially will be on childhood obesity, but the focus may expand to include other childhood health needs and diseases, as well as health outcomes across the lifespan. The Collaborative is partnered with the Brenner Families in Training (Brenner FIT) Program at Brenner Children’s Hospital, a multi-disciplinary pediatric weight management program to address childhood obesity in the Piedmont Triad area.

The Collaborative is a non-traditional 1,400 square foot office space, located in a branch of the YWCA. Designed in an open movable floor plan, there are four distinct areas. The primary multi-use area is the working space for Collaborative staff and projects. The Collaborative also includes a minor medical service space to provide assessments of blood pressure and height and weight, although the assessments provided in this space could be expanded; a conference room for Collaborative meetings, and a teaching kitchen to allow Collaborative program participants to have hands-on opportunities to learn healthy cooking skills.

Since the grand opening of the Gateway YWCA in June 2007 the Collaborative has been offering active programming to Winston-Salem and Forsyth County through collaborations with community partners. Those partners include the Forsyth County Department of Public Health (weight management and diabetes management classes) and Forsyth County Consumer credit counseling (financial literacy workshops).

We are currently establishing signature programs related to training families to engage in healthier behaviors. The programs are partnerships between the Collaborative, Brenner FIT, and the YWCA of Winston-Salem. Our first signature program is a series of cooking classes focusing on preparing quick, healthy, budget-friendly meals lead by WFUSM registered dieticians. All programs offered by the Collaborative are open to both YWCA members and to non-members. Our primary focus for Collaborative programs is on low-income minority and Spanish-speaking populations.

The Collaborative is Co-Directed by Melicia Whitt-Glover, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences and Joseph Skelton, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Visit the Collaborative website for more information, or contact Maria Whitt at mwhitt@wfubmc.edu.

North Carolina State Health Plan Announces Expanded Case Management Services for Members

Effective January 1, 2008, The North Carolina State Health Plan (State Health Plan) is pleased to offer expanded intensive case management services to support our members with complex medical needs. To provide these services, the State Health Plan has contracted with SHPS, based in Louisville, Ky. SHPS provides a broad range of innovative health management tools, resources and services, supported by registered nurses, health professionals and IT experts.

“For our members with severe illness, intensive case management services help us to improve the member’s quality of care across medical care settings,” said Dr. Nancy Henley, medical director for the State Health Plan. “The program focuses on early identification and assists members with serious medical needs, including: multiple hospitalizations; a sudden, catastrophic event; a high-risk pregnancy; or an extended neonatal intensive care stay.”

Chronic diseases made up almost 70 percent of State Health Plan costs for members under the age of 65, as per the most recently available data. For that same year, 2004, medical benefits for a member with a chronic disease cost an average of $7,400, compared to an average of $800 for a healthy person’s care.

“These services help us to ensure the appropriate care, which in turn reduces health risks and controls health care costs,” said George C. Stokes, executive administrator for the State Health Plan. “The services provided by SHPS underscore the State Health Plan’s commitment to quality and cost-effective health care.”

Case management services are made available through the State Health Plan’s healthy living initiative, NC HealthSmart, at no additional cost to the member. Members whose medical condition would benefit from case management services will be determined by the State Health Plan.

“We appreciate the trust and confidence the North Carolina State Health Plan has placed in SHPS to provide this important, personalized service to members,” commented Reed Keller, SHPS’ president, health management solutions.

SHPS’ chief medical officer, Paul Berger, added: “SHPS case management services are focused on improving clinical status and returning members to a healthy and productive life as quickly as possible following a serious illness, accident or major surgery. We feel confident the services will help the State Health Plan achieve its health care objectives, while simultaneously improving the lives of its members.”

For more information contact Sherry Hay at Sherry.Hay@shpnc.org.

North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians’ Adolescent Obesity Initiative

The NCAFP is wrapping up their Adolescent Obesity Initiative. In hopes to sustain the project they have developed a physician “how-to” guide from lessons learned. The guide is now complete and 1,000 copies have been printed. These are available at the Academy office and will be distributed at their Winter Meeting in Asheville to all attending physicians. The guide is also available online for download on the NCAFP website. The guide encompasses all four years of the project including successes, barriers and how physicians can start the project in their own county.

Another sustainability effort is an online CME program for physicians. Mott Blair, MD, and Carolyn Dunn, PhD completed the recording for Child and Adolescent Obesity Advances, an online CME program that will be available for 2 years and for 1.5 CME credits. They will give this same presentation at the Winter Family Physician’s Weekend in Asheville. The talk provides valuable information regarding the importance of screening all patients for obesity and promoting physical activity and healthy eating. This will be promoted through a mass mailing to 8,000 physicians in North Carolina and some surrounding states.

For more information contact Jenni Fisher at jfisher@ncafp.com.

News from the PAN Branch

“Eat Smart North Carolina: Bring Fresh Produce to Your Setting” Released at CFSA’s 22nd Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference
A planning and resource publication is now available to help North Carolinians advocate for having fresh produce available for purchase at worksites, in places of worship and in communities. “Eat Smart North Carolina: Bring Fresh Produce to Your Setting” was being released on November 10 at the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s 22nd Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference.

The document highlights why fruit and vegetable consumption is important to the health, environment and economy of North Carolina and contains options and resources for working with local farmers and produce vendors to bring fresh produce to a variety of community settings. The N.C. Division of Public Health’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Active Living by Design, N.C. Cooperative Extension, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems partnered to produce the guide, which is also endorsed by the N.C. Fruits & Veggies Nutrition Coalition.

“Eat Smart North Carolina: Bring Fresh Produce to Your Setting” provides steps for planning and establishing programs that allow people to buy fresh fruits and vegetables locally where they live, learn, earn, play and pray. It showcases successful programs across the state and provides a list of resources. The publication is on the Web at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com and at www.FruitsandVeggiesNC.com.

“The demand for locally grown produce is increasing dramatically,” says Roland McReynolds, executive director of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA). “By buying locally, people get fresher, more nutritious, better tasting produce; help protect the environment by cutting down on shipping; and support their local economy. Establishing relationships with local farmers and produce vendors so that people can get fruits and vegetables where they work and live makes buying locally much easier.” CFSA comprises more than 1,100 farmers, consumers, gardeners and businesses in North and South Carolina who are committed to sustainable agriculture and the development of locally-based, organic food systems. The organization supports local and organic food systems through promotion and marketing training, education and advocacy efforts, and information sharing and networking.

Eat Smart, Move More…NC is a statewide movement that fosters healthy eating and physical activity. The North Carolina Fruits & Veggies Nutrition Coalition is a multi-partner alliance whose mission is to promote better health of North Carolinians by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

Programs, Projects and Initiatives

Snacking Help for Consumers Now On the Web

The N.C. Division of Public Health and N.C. Cooperative Extension, in support of the Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina movement, announce the release of Eat Smart North Carolina: Snacks and Drinks.

This full-color document will help busy consumers make better decisions when facing rows of colorful snacks and drinks. The document outlines the need to make wise snack choices – as choosing fruits and vegetables for snacks, for example, can help Americans meet or exceed their need for these vitamin-filled foods each day. Studies show that Americans consumed more calories in this decade than they did two decades ago. Many of those extra calories come from foods such as sweet and salty snacks, soft drinks, and larger portions of many of the foods we buy and eat away from home, according to a study in Obesity Research in 2002. The Snacks and Drinks document is now available online on the www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com Web site.

Successful Students Eat Smart and Move More Provides Tools for Advocating for Local Wellness Policies

The N.C. Division of Public Health launched a program to help school administrators and parents advocate for the implementation of wellness policies in local schools. Successful Students Eat Smart and Move More is a social marketing intervention intended to raise awareness and support of school wellness polices. The goal is to ensure that these policies are implemented, monitored and evaluated to ensure they are meeting the needs of the schools, staff and students. Successful Students Eat Smart and Move More contains resources available to PTAs, school board members, principals and assistant principals, and parents who are interested in local wellness policies. An advocacy toolkit, informational brochure and a PowerPoint presentation are currently available at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com. A community relations and media toolkit will be added at a later date.

Success Stories

Fit City Worksite Wellness No Food Dumping Policy

Tired of all those left over cakes, candies and chocolates ending up in your company’s break rooms? Stop the onslaught of calories by implementing a “No Food Dumping” policy. This is a simple way to encourage generous employees to keep their unhealthy left-overs at home. Most people can’t resist a free cookie or a piece of cake, especially when it’s lingering in the break room all day. Implementing a “No Food Dumping” policy is a great way to kindly ask employees to keep the break-rooms clear of all those extra treats. Although cakes and candies are not allowed to be donated the policy does encourage healthy donations such as surplus garden vegetables or fruit.

As employees begin to make changes to live a healthy lifestyle companies can support their efforts by creating a worksite that encourages healthy living. Keeping unhealthy food from being left in the break rooms and requiring food donations by vendors to be healthier will show employees the company cares about the health of their staff and wants to support healthy lifestyles. Implementing a “No Food Dumping” policy for employees and vendors will keep break rooms free of temptation and encourage healthy eating in the workplace.

This policy can be found at www.fitcitychallenge.org. Click on the Fit City for Worksite Wellness tab and go to the Eat Right section to find the Food Dumping policies and Healthy Holiday alternatives.

For more information contact Dianne Thomas at Dianne.Thomas@mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Featured Resources and Research

Health Facts for DGA Toolkit for Health Professionals

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of DHHS have developed 2-sided flyers that address specific topic areas within the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Flyer topics include: Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables; For a Healthy Weight, Find the Balance Between Food and Physical Activity; Get the Most Nutrition Out of your Calories; Sodium and Potassium; Chose Carbohydrates Wisely; Know Your Fats; Be Physically Active; and Play it Safe with Food. Soon you will be able to access them on the HealthierUS web under Toolkit for Professionals at: www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.

Legislation

There are no updates at this time.

Grants/Awards

Third Phase of Fit Community Designations and Grants Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Available to NC Towns and Counties

Fit Together, a partnership of the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a third phase of its Fit Community designation and grants program.

Fit Together, the overweight/obesity prevention campaign of HWTF and BCBSNC, awarded the second phase of grants and designations in May 2007. Eight NC Communities including Cary, Edenton, Salisbury, and Mecklenburg County received designations. This program rewards municipalities and counties for supporting healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living through policy, promotions and community infrastructure. Although the designations are a part of the partnership with BCBSNC, funding for the grants is provided solely by HWTF.

With escalating numbers of diseases and preventable deaths in North Carolina linked to physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use, the public health implications of being overweight have become a growing priority for HWTF. These behaviors increase the risks for cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and many other serious chronic illnesses. According to a study commissioned by Be Active NC, expenses associated with obesity alone cost North Carolina $24.1 billion annually.

“North Carolina’s communities are becoming part of the solution by starting initiatives that make healthy lifestyles possible for all citizens,” said HWTF chair Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue. “A Fit Community designation says to the public we have a great place to live – a healthy place to work, play and go to school. We are a fit community.”

All North Carolina municipalities, counties, and lead agencies that represent municipal or county partnerships and meet specified eligibility criteria outlined in the RFP are eligible to apply for the designation. Eight two-year grants of up to $30,000 annually will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate need, proven capacity, and opportunity for positive change in addressing physical activity and/or healthy eating in North Carolina. HWTF is committed to selecting designees that represent a broad geographic range, diversity of needs, and range of strategies used to address those needs.

There is no fee to apply for the Fit Community designation or grant. For more information about the Fit Community program, or to download a Fit Community application, visit www.fitcommunitync.com. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on February 1st, 2008.

About the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund

The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund makes North Carolina stronger, both physically and economically, by funding programs that promote preventive health. Created by the General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of North Carolina’s share of the national tobacco settlement, HWTF has invested $143 million to support preventive health initiatives and $102 million to fund prescription drug assistance programs. For more information, please visit www.HealthWellNC.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.2 million members, including approximately 620,000 served on behalf of other Blue plans. For 72 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. BCBSNC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at www.bcbsnc.com.

Training and Professional Development

Nutrition and Physical Activity Teleconferences

Every month, the CDC Division of Nutrition & Physical Activity (DNPA) sponsors a monthly teleconference on a variety of topics, but mostly dealing with nutrition &/or physical activity. The calls are scheduled the 2nd Thursday of each month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. The topic for the December 13, 2007, call is “Quality Physical Education: Standards, Guidelines, and Resources” presented by Fran Zavacky, MEd, Senior Manager National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Anyone who would like the handouts or participate in future calls please send an email to nc5aday@ncmail.net.

Every Woman, Every Time

Symposium on Preconception health and Folic Acid
Greenville, NC
January 23, 2008

Please join women’s health professionals from across the state for a symposium focusing on preconception health and folic acid on January 23, 2008, at the Hilton Greenville, NC. (8:00 am- 4:30 pm)

This year’s folic Acid Council meeting will be held from 1:15-2:30 as a part of this preconception symposium.

Highlights include:

• The NC Folic Acid Campaign as an example of a successful preconception health program;
• Two national speakers on preconception health: Merry-K Moos from UNC-Chapel Hill and Hani Atrash from the CDC;
• Tips on how to reach youth and young adults with preconception health messages;

Credits offered: CNE, CEU, CHES; and only a $50 registration fee.
For more information or to download a registration form, please visit eahec.ecu.edu/

25th Annual BRFSS Conference

Orlando, Florida
March 15–19, 2008

Save the Date! The 25th Annual BRFSS Conference will be held March 15–19, 2008, at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida.

Since 1984, CDC’s Behavior Surveillance Branch has held annual meetings with state coordinators to plan and discuss the BRFSS survey. The BRFSS Conference typically draws survey coordinators, field supervisory staff, epidemiologists and others from all over the United States interested in the administration and analysis of BRFSS data. The conference provides opportunities for networking among state BRFSS coordinators, data collection contractors and others interested in surveillance systems.

The purpose of the conference is to determine the content of the following year’s BRFSS Survey and update attendees regarding state-of-the-art behavioral risk factor monitoring, methodologies, and technological innovations.

The conference showcases the successful application of BRFSS data by state-based programs such as diabetes, cancer prevention, tobacco and alcohol use prevention, family planning, nutrition and physical activity, and oral health.

For more information visit this site.