Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
How can we as a community slow the increase in number of obese Iowans? One in four Iowans is in the ‘obese’ category and rates for counties in southeastern Iowa are higher than the state rate. We know that poor eating habits and inactivity lead to obesity and overweight among youth and adults, which leads to increased health risks as well as dollar costs. Consequently, health and education professionals, parents and community volunteers need to keep up to date on current trends, possible solutions, and have a better understanding of motivating factors for improving health status. A coalition of agencies in southeastern Iowa called SIRCLE (Southeast Iowa Regional Coalition for Lifestyle Enhancement) provided a forum the past two years to address overweight issues with professionals and others working with youth or adults. With increased travel costs for organizations, attending local conferences is a good opportunity for Iowans. The third annual Healthy Lifestyles Conference: Addressing Overweight Issues in Burlington, Iowa was held in 2009.

Response:
In order to keep costs low and involve more participants, outside funding was successfully sought from several sources, including the Helen LeBaron Fund of the College of Human Sciences of ISU. Research-based, well-respected and dynamic professionals were main session speakers – including a TN physician who specializes in diabetes education, an ISU professor of kinesiology, and the man who is the only Iowan to scale Mt Everest. Two focused on the importance of physical activity in improving health. Breakout sessions with these speakers and other local experts provided additional information. The caliber of the speakers and the quality of their research-based information as well as their presentation styles enhanced the messages and inspired changes in eating and exercise habits among those attending.

Impact:
Two main goals were achieved. By providing a forum to address overweight issues with professionals and others working with youth or adults, the conference also served as in-service education for family and consumer sciences teachers, nurses, Extension nutrition educators, and other school personnel and offered sessions creditable for continuing education credit for nurses. Secondly, to encourage adoption of practices for personal lives of participants as well as sharing with others, attendees reported plans to share knowledge gained with others: co-workers, employees, family members, students, parents, patients; to use the information personally to improve their quality of life; and to improve their professional competence as they work with students and patients. Over 100 attended the conference and expressed high satisfaction with the benefit to them personally as well as professionally. Overall the speakers were rated by 98% as effectively conveying their message while providing current information; 95% rated the presentations as being relevant and useful to the participants’ professional or personal life. Participants plan to use the information in many ways. Here is a sampling: “I hope to improve my diet and exercise plan and encourage the clients that I teach the importance of diet and exercise.” “Go home and start a wellness program in our community.” “I will use it during a 6th grade nutrition unit. I will also use it as ‘ammunition’ to try to convince my administration of the need for a K-6 health teacher.” “Educate my friends, family, colleagues and patients about (how) to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle.” “Shop better, eat better, exercise better and get family to follow suit.”

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
WIC of Community Action of Southeast Iowa Lee County Health Department Henry County Health Center Great River Medical Center Southeastern Community College YWCA SE Iowa Regional Planning

Contact:
Patricia Steiner
Des Moines County Extension
900 Osborn Street
Burlington, Iowa 52601
319-754-7556
psteiner@iastate.edu