December 2005 / January 2006

News from the PAN Branch

Eat Smart, Move More…NC Unveils Fresh, New Web Site

The Eat Smart, Move More…NC Web site has a new design. Clean lines, easy maneuvering, and a wealth of resources for improving the health of North Carolinians through healthy eating and increased physical activity set the feel of the new site. Two important components of the re-design include the arrangement of the Eat Smart, Move More…NC resources by setting and the addition of the PressRoom. Check out the new look at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.

Programs, Projects and Initiatives

Move More Scholars Institute: North Carolina’s Course for Physical Activity Professionals

The NC Division of Public Health is pleased to announce the inaugural Move More Scholars Institute: North Carolina’s Course for Physical Activity Professionals from May 8-11, 2006 at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC. Taught by state and national-level faculty, the course will increase the capacity of physical activity professionals to take a multi-level approach to creating communities that promote and support physical activity for NC families.

All Local Health Promotion Coordinators, Local Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition (LPAN) Coordinators, and other physical activity professionals interested in community-based physical activity are encouraged to apply. Up to thirty applicants will be selected to attend through a competitive application and review process. Successful candidates will be considered Move More Scholars. Applications are due by 5:00pm Friday January 13, 2006. For more information or an application, contact Lori Schneider at Lori.Schneider@ncmail.net or 919-707-5224.

Re-Launch of Eat Smart, Move More… North Carolina

The N.C. Division of Public Health and its state and local partners will re-launch Eat Smart, Move More…North Carolina with a statewide media campaign the week of January 15-21, 2006. The driving force behind the re-launch will be a kick-off media event in each of the six major media markets, focusing on preschools, schools, worksites, places of worship, communities and health care. The event will also highlight the official re-launch of the Eat Smart, Move More…NC Web site, with a newly designed consumer site, MyEatSmartMoveMore.com.

January 15-21st is National Healthy Weight week, so it is fitting to officially re-launch Eat Smart, Move More…NC during a time when the spotlight is on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. For more information, contact Sheree Thaxton Vodicka at sheree.vodicka@ncmail.net or Miranda Abney at Miranda.abney@ncmail.net.

Minority Families Want to Move More Research Says:
Safety is Parents’ Primary Concern

The Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch’s Fit Together Childhood Obesity Prevention Social Marketing project released results of audience research conducted with African-American, American-Indian and Hispanic children and their parents in four North Carolina counties November 3, 2005.
The chief findings of the research include:

• The desire to be more active is already present among all three ethnic groups (Hispanic, African-American, American Indian).
• Concerns over safety and lack of access to parks, playgrounds, pools are the primary reasons that children do not play outside as much as they or their parents desire.
• There is a "disconnect," or lack of true knowledge, of how physical activity can lead to longer, healthier lives.
• Generally speaking, each group expressed interest in becoming more active. However, if exercise involved more "fun" activities, both the children and adults would be more inclined to participate.

The Fit Together Childhood Obesity Prevention Social Marketing Project is using commercial marketing techniques, like those used to sell soap or toothpaste, to "sell" families on the idea of reducing TV time and increasing physical activity. The expected outcomes of the social marketing project are 1) reduce TV time to two hours or less per day, and 2) increase physical activity to at least 60 minutes each day in 5-to-11-year old minority youth.
To accomplish that goal, the Division contracted with a marketing firm to conduct focus group research to identify minority kids’ and parents’ perceptions about physical activity and television time in Vance, Lee and Johnston counties. The firm also conducted a random-digit dialed telephone survey with minority parents in Vance, Lee, Johnston and Swain counties.

The Fit Together Childhood Obesity Prevention Social Marketing project is in its second of three years. The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission awarded the three-year grant to the North Carolina Division of Public Health in January of 2003.

With the audience research results, local county work-groups are now planning programs that will serve to achieve the project goals. The counties will implement programs beginning January of 2006. For more information and to see the phone survey results, go to: www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com

Success Stories

Students Eating Smart and Moving More (SESAMM)

Four North Carolina school-based health centers have been awarded Students Eating Smart and Moving More (SESAMM) grants as part of the N.C. Division of Public Health’s (DPH) obesity prevention efforts. The $25,000 grants will provide interventions for students ages 10-19 and their families from January 2006 through May 2007 in Buncombe, Durham, New Hanover and Yancey counties.

"We will avoid negative messages and focus totally on fun, healthy behaviors that students will enjoy and want to continue after the program ends," said Michelle Futrell, a DPH registered dietitian who is coordinating the program.

Up to 25 student volunteers at each school will be selected to participate in the 18-week program, which includes nutrition screening, individual counseling, and group sessions conducted by a registered dietitian. Interactive, after-school group sessions will provide education and skill-building in both nutrition and physical activity. Students will prepare and taste healthy foods, develop media literacy, practice decision-making skills, and choose fun physical activities that can become part of a healthy lifestyle.

Each health center will also hold five sessions for parents of SESAMM students and other interested community members to build home, school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. The adults will learn about eating smart at home; eating smart on the run; moving more every day, everywhere; and reducing time spent watching TV or playing computer games.

The grants are being offered initially as pilot programs in these four school-based health centers but may later be adapted for schools having strong Coordinated School Health Programs and community support.

Receiving the SESAMM grants will be Buncombe County Health Department’s Health Center at Erwin Middle School; Lincoln Community Health Center at Hillside High School in Durham County; Wilmington Health Access for Teens’ Health Center at Lakeside High School in New Hanover County; and the Toe River Health District’s Health Center at East Yancey Middle School in Yancey County. For more information, contact Michelle Futrell SESAMM Coordinator, (919) 707-5669 or Michelle.Futrell@ncmail.net.

Featured Resources and Research

Trends in Recommended Lifestyle Physical Activity and Inactivity - United States, 2001 and 2003

MMWR Press Release
More than half of US adults (54.1 percent) are not active enough to gain health benefits. This report found that more than half of adults (18 years & over) in US states and territories are not active at the minimum level that is beneficial to health; although during 2001- 2003 there was slight improvement in such activity level. This is the first national report on the trend of recommended lifestyle physical activity which includes activities during household work, transportation and discretionary/leisure time. This report also found that more than 15 percent of US adults are inactive during their lifestyle activities. Public health efforts at local, state and federal level should be concerted and continuous to improve the participation of US adults in physical activity.
Press contact:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131

Prevention Communication Research Database

The Prevention Communication Research Database (PCRD), a project of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is a searchable collection of audience research conducted or sponsored by HHS agencies. Not intended to be a comprehensive collection of prevention communication research, PCRD is designed to provide access to research findings that may not be widely known or distributed.

Making the research available may provide program planners and health communication specialists with insight into different audiences in relation to key prevention issues such as physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco use, and substance abuse.

Search reports by prevention topic, audience, research methodology, other search criteria, and keyword or view all reports.

Researchers to Study Effect of Suburban Environments on Weight, Activity Levels

A group of researchers from the University of Maryland-College Park and the University of North Carolina is working on a three-year study of more than 400 suburban Montgomery County, Md., residents to identify how neighborhood design affects residents’ physical activity levels, the Baltimore Sun reports. For more information, go to: this site.

Exercise Prevents Falls Over the Long-Term

Fear of falling is a valid concern for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over one-third of adults ages 65 years and older fall each year. While exercise can help prevent falls by improving lower body strength and balance, how long do these benefits last?

Researchers conducted a follow-up of 98 women ages 75 to 85 with osteopenia or osteoporosis who participated in a 25-week clinical trial of exercise effect on fall risk. The participants exercised twice a week in a resistance training, agility training or stretching session. At the end of 25 weeks, all groups lowered their risk of falling and the formal exercise program ended.

To find out the long-term effects, investigators assessed health and activity status 8 months and 12 months later. All 3 groups maintained a reduced risk of falling after one year. Fall risk was 43.3% lower for the resistance-training group, 40.1% lower for the agility-training group and 37.4% lower for the stretching group. Fifty women continued with formal exercise during the 12 months of follow-up. These activities included personal training, cardiac rehabilitation and older-adult group exercise.

Why did these women continue to exercise? "We think it was primarily due to the social interactions and relationships they experienced during the trial," said co-author Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD. "Many of them still keep in touch with each other. As well, I think their self-efficacy also improved-their perception of their own abilities changed."

The team concluded that a 6-month exercise intervention appeared to encourage continued physical activity as well as lower risk of falls. Source: Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 53: 1767 (October 2005)

Designing Retirement Communities to Promote Physical Activity

Older adults are among the most sedentary people in the United States. To find out what design features enable activity, 398 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) answered a survey about their campuses.

CCRCs typically contain sections for independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. As residents’ needs change, they can move among the residences.

Organized activities most frequently provided on campus were physical therapy (78% provided), aerobics (40%), walking clubs organized by staff (39%), swimming (34%), t’ai chi/martial arts (34%) and walking clubs organized by residents (34%). Outside the campus, within a quarter mile walking distance, were swimming (31%), water aerobics (21%), golf (18%) and tennis (16%).

The relationship between a CCRC’s characteristics and resident participation in physical activity was more related to the type of activity than to the recommendation for 30 minutes of activity at least 3 times a week. For both independent living and assisted living, the higher the number of available activities on campus, the more residents engaged in 30 minutes a day of activity.

The residents who provided the greatest support for activity were physically active and housed in the independent living section. Management emphasis on the importance of physical activity was significantly related to resident participation.

The authors concluded that "there are a variety of organizational factors that appear to help enable motivated and able residents-likely within communities with physical environments also conducive to physical activity-to be more physically active." Source: Seniors Housing & Care Journal 2005, 3 (1)

CDC, NIH Study Finds 2 Million U.S. Adolescents Have Pre-Diabetes Linked to Obesity, Inactivity

A study published in Pediatrics finds that an estimated 2 million U.S. children ages 12 to 19 have a pre-diabetic condition linked to obesity and inactivity that places them at an increased risk for developing "full-blown diabetes and cardiovascular problems," the Associated Press reports. For more information, go to: this site.

HHS Releases New Book to ‘Foster Health Literacy,’ Promote Healthy Lifestyles

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a nutrition and exercise book aimed at "foster[ing] health literacy" to help Americans integrate the latest federal dietary guidelines into their everyday lives, the Washington Post reports. For more information, go to: this site.

More Organizations Designing Buildings to Encourage Walking, Increase Physical Activity

Architects and health advocates say that companies, universities and other institutions are constructing buildings with design features that encourage physical activity, including more staircases and outdoor walkways, the Wall Street Journal reports. The newspaper cites RWJF’s Princeton, N.J., headquarters for its efforts to incorporate opportunities for physical activity into its building design. James Sallis, director of RWJF’s Active Living Research program, says climbing stairs can even contribute to weight loss. For more information, go to: this site.

ASTO: Evidence-Based Public Health

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTO) has launched a new section on its Web site to highlight initiatives and research focused on increasing the evidence base supporting public health interventions. The section, titled Evidence-Based Public Health, contains fact sheets summarizing recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Current topics include diabetes, oral health, physical activity, social environment, and violence. Additional evidence-based public health resources will be added to the site in an ongoing manner. The Web site section is intended to assist policymakers in utilizing current best evidence to make informed decisions about public health programs and interventions that promote health and prevent disease, injury, and disability. The section is available at this site.

More information is available here.

Legislation

No updates at this time.

Grants

Fit Together Launches $1 Million Statewide Grant and Award Program

Fit Together launched the Fit Community initiative, a statewide program designed to recognize and reward North Carolina cities and towns actively promoting healthy lifestyles. This award is public acknowledgement of a town’s livability and commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents. All North Carolina municipalities are eligible to apply for the designation and $1 million in grants, which will be available over the next two years.

Fit Together, the overweight/obesity prevention campaign of the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), has launched this initiative to reward municipalities for supporting healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living through policy and community infrastructure. As part of the Fit Together partnership, HWTF has provided funding for the Fit Community grants.

• Communities chosen for the Fit Community designation will receive:
• A sign for the entrance to their community
• A plaque for the mayor’s office
• Recognition on the Fit Together Web site, www.FitTogetherNC.org
• Use of the Fit Community designation logo for all municipality communications

The Fit Community program joins the recently announced Fit Together Grant Program, sponsored by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC Foundation), which promotes physical activity in rural communities. The Fit Together Grant Program, targets rural communities that are interested in improving access and reducing barriers to physical activity. Five nonprofit or governmental organizations will be chosen for a three-year grant of up to $40,000 per year. More information on this grant program can be found at this site .

Fit Together and its programs are funded by a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund.

For more information about the Fit Community program, or to download a Fit Community application, visit www.FitTogetherNC.org.

NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund announces the availability of $8.9 million in grant funding to address health disparities in North Carolina

The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) announces the availability of $8.9 million in grant funding over three years to reduce health disparities in North Carolina.

HWTF will accept applications from eligible organizations who seek to reduce disparities, for both children/youth and adults related to obesity and chronic diseases, including but not limited to: cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

The Department of Health Education at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) will provide technical assistance to grant applicants and grant recipients over the three year period.

Six regional half-day information workshops for potential applicants will be held in Durham on Dec. 10; Winston-Salem on Jan. 12; Charlotte on Jan. 18; Lumberton on Jan. 21; Greenville on Jan. 25 and Elizabeth City on Feb. 1. Those interested in attending should pre-register for these regional workshops by calling 1-877-683-8560.

Grant proposals will be accepted from existing HWTF grantees as well as organizations not currently receiving HWTF funding. Organizations are eligible to receive an HWTF grant if they fit into any of the following categories:

• A state agency
• A local government or other political subdivision of the state, or a combination of such entities
• A nonprofit organization which has a significant purpose promoting the public’s health, limiting youth access to tobacco products, or reducing the health consequences of tobacco use

Interested applicants can obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal and other application materials by visiting HWTF’s Web site at www.HealthWellNC.com. Final applications must be received by March 1, 2006.

Youth Nutrition & Fitness Grant Program

General Mills Foundation Champions Youth Nutrition and Fitness grant program to encourage communities in the United States to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people, ages 2-20.

Nickelodeon Program Encourages Healthy Play

According to a recent news release, children’s television network
Nickelodeon has announced the launch of the 2005-2006 ‘Let’s Just Play’
Giveaway Program, where the network will distribute more than $1 million from September 2005 to June 2006. The ‘Let’s Just Play’ Giveaway offers kids around the United States the opportunity to take action and enter for a chance to win $5,000 to improve their school or community program’s fitness resources. The initiative is part of the network’s three-year pro-social ‘Let’s Just Play’ campaign, which encourages healthy and active lifestyles for kids and families. For ten months, Nickelodeon will award a minimum of 20 winners per month with $5,000 each to help facilitate play in their community.

To enter, kids ( 6-15 years of age), partnering with teachers and other community-based leaders, must tell Nickelodeon what they need for their public or private school (grades K-9) or community-based after- school organization to help them play better and why, and give three reasons why play is important.
Once the entry form is completed and mailed to Nickelodeon, the winners will be randomly selected and announced via Nickelodeon Online at the top of each month, beginning in September.

"As a partner of the ‘Let’s Just Play’ Giveaway, the Kellogg Company (http://www.kellogg.com) will match a Nickelodeon grant of $100,000 for September, enabling the network to award funding to 40 winners that month. The partnership is part of the network’s efforts to bring corporate partners on-board for the ‘Let’s Just Play’ Giveaway in order to increase the total funds distributed to $2 million."

Deadline: Rolling, until May 31, 2006
For more information, visit the Nickelodeon Web site:
http://www.nick.com
RFP Link

The Milagro Foundation

The Milagro Foundation supports underrepresented and underprivileged children and youth in the areas of the arts, education, and health.
http://www.milagrofoundation.org/apply.asp

Youth Service America and Disney are offering the Disney Minnie Grants

This grant program is designed for youth across the globe to engage them
to implement service projects on National & Global Youth Service Day,
April 21-23, 2006. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: youth (ages 5-14), or teachers, schools and organizations that oversee them. Deadline: January 13, 2006. For more information, go to this site.

Training and Professional Development

Correction to the November Physical Activity Update

In the November Physical Activity Update, the Designing Communities for Healthy Living was listed as being offered February 5, 2006, the actual date is February 26, 2006 and the conference is titled, Designing Sustainable Cities.

Designing Sustainable Cities
February 26, 2006
Raleigh, NC

The NC State University College of Design, in partnership with the City of Raleigh Urban Design Center presents its annual urban design conference: Designing Sustainable Cities at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel. This conference will provide practical learning experiences for designers, planners, government officials and engineers to design or facilitate cities and towns that promote sustainable design strategies ranging from the individual site to an entire region. Topics will include transportation, urban planning, policies and codes, site design, and building design and materials. For more information and how to register, go to: this site (website complete on 12/19) or call Jean Marie Livaudais at 919.515.8320.

2006 National Bike Summit

March 1-3, 2006
Washington, DC
Planning is now underway for the 2006 National Bike Summit. Here are the event details: March 1-3, 2006 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington DC. Room blocks are at the JW Marriott, 202-393-2000, $269/night, 1 block from ITC; and the Hilton Garden Inn, 202-783-7800, $189/night, 5 blocks from ITC.

For more information see the brochure below.
Marthea Wilson
Deputy Director
League of American Bicyclists
202-822-1333
www.bikeleague.org

Move More Scholars Institute: North Carolina’s Course for Physical Activity Professionals

May 8-11
Greensboro, NC
The NC Division of Public Health is pleased to announce the inaugural Move More Scholars Institute: North Carolina’s Course for Physical Activity Professionals from May 8-11, 2006 at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC.

Taught by state and national-level faculty, the course will increase the capacity of physical activity professionals to take a multi-level approach to creating communities that promote and support physical activity for NC families.

All Local Health Promotion Coordinators, Local Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition (LPAN) Coordinators, and other physical activity professionals interested in community-based physical activity are encouraged to apply. Up to thirty applicants will be selected to attend through a competitive application and review process. Successful candidates will be considered Move More Scholars. Applications are due by 5:00pm Friday January 13, 2006. For more information or an application, contact Lori Schneider at Lori.Schneider@ncmail.net or 919-707-5224.