Digital Commons Network^™

Serving Their Needs: A Qualitative Examination Of Nutrition Policy Implementation In The Early Care And Education Setting, Caree J. Cotwright, Jori Hall, Nicole M. Arrington, Nathalie Celestin, Hayley Sanders, Taylor Ragan, Sarah Stotz, Leann Birch

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States and results in increased risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Thirteen percent of youth in Georgia are obese. Identifying strategies to assist children in establishing healthy habits is essential to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. The Early Care and Education (ECE) setting is ideal for the implementation of obesity prevention practices. However, there are barriers present for implementing nutrition policies in this setting. This report explores the implementation of food and beverage best practices in the ECE setting and highlights barriers to and …

The Association Between Nutrition, Physical Activity, And Weight Status Among Adults In Georgia, Trang Nguyen, Janani R. Thapa, Donglan Zhang, Elizabeth Pullekines

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Obesity is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and is associated with higher risks of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases, hypertension, and other adverse health outcomes. In 2015, the prevalence of self-reported obesity among adults in Georgia was 30.7. The present study focused on how, in 2015, lifestyle factors, specifically nutrition and physical activity levels, related with weight status in Georgia.

Methods: The dataset used for this analysis was from the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The association between weight status (as measured by BMI) and nutrition and physical activity levels was …

The Eating And Cooking Healthy (Teach) Kitchen: A Research Protocol, Sashia White, Roberto Alva-Ruiz, Lucia Chen, Jason Conger, Christopher Kuang, Cameron Murphy, Najeah Okashah, Eric Ollila, Selina A. Smith, Benjamin E. Ansa

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia have affected millions of individuals, resulting in disease-related complications and mortality. Strategies that may improve the outcome of chronic disease management include modification of lifestyle risk factors such as unhealthy diets. TEACH Kitchen is an experiential education program related to community nutrition, the goal of which is to teach patients management of chronic disease through dietary change.

Methods: Adults (n=144) ≥18 years old and their children (n=144) 7-17 years old will complete four 2-hour sessions. Components of each session will include brief nutrition education (20 min), an interactive cooking …

Addressing Childhood Obesity In Georgia: Past, Present, And Future, Debra L. Kibbe, Emily Anne Vall, Christine Green, Brenda F. Fitzgerald, Karen J. Minyard, Kelly Cornett

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The Trust for America's Health ranks Georgia 17th (16.5%) in the nation for childhood obesity prevalence among youth aged 10-17 years. Georgia has a long history of addressing childhood obesity at the state, regional, and local levels. This report outlines the historical efforts in childhood obesity in Georgia from the mid-1990’s to the present, summarizes current childhood obesity prevention and management strategies, and provides childhood obesity-related data relevant to the current strategies.

Methods: Childhood obesity-related efforts in Georgia from 1996 to the present are documented, along with how these efforts led to the creation of Georgia Shape. The Georgia …