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Small Steps are Easier Together: Community environmental approach to weight gain prevention and breast cancer risk reduction
Author(s) -
Devine Carol M,
Warren Barbour,
Maley Mary,
Darling Jeanne
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a106-b
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , breast cancer , pedometer , obesity , environmental health , community organization , cancer prevention , cancer , gerontology , physical therapy , physical activity , political science , public relations
Prevention of excess weight gain is a priority for reduced breast cancer risk because the relative risk of postmenopausal breast cancer associated with obesity is high and obesity is a modifiable factor that affects many women. The objective of this pilot project was to increase the capacity of community leaders to take an environmental approach to obesity prevention and breast cancer risk reduction. The project site was a northeast rural community where 60% of adults were overweight or obese, and buy‐in was available from Cooperative Extension, a cancer coalition, and community leaders. Community leaders used the results of a community environmental needs assessment to identify opportunities to increase healthy eating and active living. Goals were set to increase walking steps by 2000 over baseline at least 3 days per week, and to add healthy food options to targeted community events. Changes in walking steps measured by pedometer, provision of healthy options at community events, and community attitudes about capacity to address obesity were assessed. 315 women enrolled in one of 12 walking teams led by volunteer leaders. Walking team members logged more than 70 million steps. About 20% of participants met the goal of adding 2000 steps at least 3 times a week for six weeks. Community chef volunteers added healthy food options to 22 separate community events. This model will be expanded to other community settings.