A Rationale for Healthy Fit Life: A Program to Enhance the Health of Lincoln County Community Members through the CLC YMCA.
Obesity and overweight are defined by accumulating excessive fat that may impair health. Obesity has tripled worldwide between 1975 and 2016. Increased BMI is a major risk factor for diet related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer (WHO, 2020). Obesity continues to become a threat to national and global public health related to prevalence, incidence, and economic burden. In 2014, more than 2.1 billion people, about 30% of the global population, were overweight or obese with an economic burden of $2.0 trillion (Tremmel et al., 2017). If occurrence continues at this same rate, by 2030 almost half of the world’s population will be overweight or obese and as a result the cost associated with obesity will also continue to increase (Tremmel et al., 2017). In the United States, the medical care cost for those that are obese is $1,429 higher than normal weight individuals (CDC.gov).
Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death among Americans. Compared to normal weight adults, obese adults have a decreased quality of life and are at risk for serious health conditions including heart disease (which includes hypertension and high cholesterol), diabetes, cancer, and stroke (America’s Health Rankings, 2020). I live in Lincoln County, Maine. Lincoln county has similar rates compared to the rest of the state in terms of leading causes of death: Cancer, heart disease, and lower respiratory diseases (Maine SHNAPP, 2016). Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity contributes to the development of heart disease. In 2011 & 2013, 37.9% of adults reported having hypertension while 41.3% reported having high cholesterol all of which contribute to the development of heart disease (Maine SHNAPP, 2016). In both the 2016 and 2019 assessment reports, weight, physical activity, and nutrition (all in the same category) were reported as being top health priorities of the county (Maine SHNAPP, 2016 & 2019). Lack of exercise and poor nutrition are the leading risk factors associated with obesity and chronic health issues. In Lincoln County, obesity rates increased from 19.8% to 23.8% as well as the percentage of adults who report having less than one serving of vegetables a day from 10.9% to 16.5% (Lincoln County CHNA, 2019). Community forums agreed that obesity is a risk factor for people of all ages. While Lincoln County has many assets in terms of resources there are some gaps/needs. In the 2019 report, “adult education on physical activity/nutrition” was listed as the second gap/need that the community could benefit from (Lincoln County CHNA, 2019).
To help combat obesity in Lincoln County, I am proposing Central Lincoln County YMCA host Healthy Fit Life. This weight loss program combined with mindful eating techniques and physical activity will be designed to help individuals make healthy diet related changes to their life. I am proposing that the YMCA host this discounted six-month intervention to improve the health and wellness of our community through nutrition education, access to the gym, and a few one on one sessions with personal trainers. No other program like this exists in Lincoln County that combines science-based nutrition, along with mindful eating techniques, and exercise. Mindful eating helps individuals become more aware of their body and experiences with food that can help improve diet, manage food cravings, and lose weight (helpguide.org). Many weight loss options in Lincoln County focus on medical and/or surgical treatments to lose weight and improve health or programs primarily focus on those with diabetes for weight loss (Mainehealth.org).
This program will not be designed as if this were a new fad diet. Science based education on health and eating whole foods while moving our bodies on a daily basis is the core to this program. Healthy living is a life long journey and not something that can be accomplished within a few weeks. This program will not only focus on nourishing our bodies and movement but also stress management and healthy coping mechanisms. Healthy Fit Life can help fill the gap that the community has voted on. Offering this program at a discounted rate while providing access to the gym aligns with the CLC YMCA’s mission of removing financial barriers to make the Y available to all (clcymca.org). Overweight/obesity and related noncommunicable diseases are preventable. Education and community support are critical in helping people make healthier food choices and engaging in regular physical activity (WHO, 2020). These two factors alone can help Lincoln County decrease the obesity rate, prevent others from becoming overweight/obese, decrease health care cost, and increase the quality of life of the citizens of Lincoln County!
References:
America’s Health Rankings (2020). Public Health Impact: Obesity. Retrieved July 16, 2020 from https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Obesity/state/ME
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 2020). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved July 16, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Central Lincoln County YMCA (2020). 2020 Annual Fund. Retrieved from https://www.clcymca.org/
Segal, J., Robinson, L., Cruz, M. (2019). Mindful Eating. Retrieved July 25, 2020 from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/mindful-eating.htm
Maine.gov (2019). Lincoln County 2019 Maine Shared Community Needs Assessment Report (CHNA). Retrieved from https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/MaineCHNA/documents/county-reports/2019/Lincoln-Report-Web.pdf
Maine. Gov (2016) Maine Shared Health Needs Assessment & Planning Process-Lincoln County (SHNAPP; 2016). Retrieved July, 4, 2020 from https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/SHNAPP/documents/county-reports/whole-reports/Maine%20Shared%20CHNA%20LINCOLN%20County%20Report%202-29-16.pdf
Evaluation:
| Process- Evaluation Question | Method of Assessment for Question | Resources Required |
| 1. Did the activities meet the objectives of the intervention?
2. Did a qualified instructor lead the lessons and group fitness sessions? |
1. Anthropometric measurements; self-administered questionnaires; open-ended survey
2. Open-ended questions in interview
|
Scale, stadiometer, soft measuring tape;
Data collection from surveys and questionnaires, entry, analysis, and reporting
|
| Were all participants present for weekly educational sessions? If not, how many did they attend?
Were all participants present for weekly fitness sessions? If not, how many did they attend? Were the participants who signed up for intervention part of the target population?
|
Attendance logs
Survey
|
Data collection, entry, analysis, and reporting |
| Were all components of Healthy Fit Life delivered as planned?
|
Observation; checklist | Skilled staff to observe two times per month; checklist |
| Were there any barriers to conducting the program at the YMCA twice a week for six months? | Focus groups with open ended questions for staff | Skilled staff to conduct the focus group |
| Was the program implemented to align with the goals/activities of the program? | Questionnaire; observation | Skilled staff, office supplies, computer for data analysis; skilled observer |
| Were all materials and handouts designed for intervention used?
· Was every weekly component of Healthy Fit Life covered in the planned lesson time? Was every workout planned for participants completed?
|
Observation; Self-reported checklist | Skilled staff observer; office supplies and computer for data analysis from checklist |
|
Did participants make any lifestyle changes based on educational material? Were participant eager and willing to engage in-group workouts and solo workouts? Did the participants demonstrate a positive attitude and actively contribute to group discussions?
|
Focus groups with open-ended questions with participants and staff (conducted separately).
Satisfaction survey for participants. |
Focus group leader; office supplies; computer for data analysis from answers and survey |