Losers Become Winners through the Lighten Up Iowa Program!

Problem:
Overweight/obesity is a top concern throughout the nation. Iowa has the 11th highest overweight/obesity rate for adults in the nation and second highest rate in the region. The Community Health Needs Assessments done by the Public Health Departments in Lee and Des Moines counties rated adult/child obesity rates as an issue of major concern. Sedentary lifestyles and poor nutritional choices are two underlying causes. Obesity is a concern because of its link to many chronic illnesses and to higher medical costs.

Response:
Lighten Up Iowa (LUI) is a statewide effort sponsored by Iowa Games, The Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa State University Extension to address this problem. Coalitions were formed in Keokuk (Lee county) and Burlington (Des Moines County) involving staff from ISU Extension, hospitals, YM/YW, HyVee grocery stores, and other community agencies. Both communities received grants to offer healthy breakfasts as a kickoff event prior to January 2006. In Burlington, free health screenings were offered to teams when they signed up. Extension materials and the LUI display were used in both communities. Nutrition & Health field specialist Patty Steiner was presenter at the Burlington breakfast to encourage team sign ups. In Keokuk, she presented a ‘lunch and learn’ program on whole grains and label reading midway through the LUI competition. She was also part of a ten-member LUI team at the Des Moines County Extension office (WOW Women Out Walking) who won health screenings brought right to their office door!

Impact:
In large part due to the enthusiasm of these two coalitions and the partnering and assistance to communities that local Extension staff could provide, the participation in Lighten Up Iowa increased from 2004 to 2006 in both counties. In 2004, Des Moines county had 32 persons enrolled – by 2006 there were 334. In 2004 in Lee county, only 14 person participated but by 2006 there were 676 persons.

As for the WOW team of ten with the health pre-screening in March and a post-screening in August – as a group they improved in many areas: from 14% with no regular aerobic exercise before to 100% exercising from 2 to 5 days a week after; from 36% with moderate activity 3 or more hours a week to 50% after. The team members increased consumption of grains, fruits and vegetables and decreased use of salt; and improved Healthy Eating Index scores. Overall the team improved their “readiness to change” in several areas, lowered BMI (Body Mass Index) scores and improved blood pressure.

In addition to the WOW team’s health screening, this screening was advertised to others in the community who took advantage of this opportunity as well.

Contact:
Patricia Steiner
Nutrition & Health Field Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
900 Osborn Street
Burlington IA 52601
Phone 319-754-7556; Fax 319-754-6721
Email psteiner@iastate.edu