ARS | Publication request: NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DIABETES: A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT CASE STUDY.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: November 6, 2004
Publication Date: November 6, 2004
Citation: Harris, E.W., Cotton, P.A. 2004. Nutrition, physical activity and diabetes: a study of community environment. [abstract] Proceedings Public Health and the Environment, American Public Health Association, November 6-10, 2004. Oral Session 3119.0, A94488.

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this project is to understand the relationship between community environment and the ability to eat healthy and be physically active to prevent diabetes. Students from five Historically Black Colleges and Universities and one Tribal College, who attended the 2003 U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Summer Institute, helped conduct the study. Each university community was defined by 2 mile increments from the main campus until a major grocery store was reached. This distance became the radius for the community boundary; however, geography necessitated revisions to this plan for each site. Opportunities for healthy eating will be defined as food access (e.g., availability of grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, fast food outlets, vendors, food programs, farmers markets) and the types of food available through these outlets. Opportunities for physical activity will be defined as access to facilities (e.g., availability of parks, public recreational centers, swimming pools, school gyms, presence of sidewalks and bike paths) and the types of physical activity available through these outlets (e.g., walking clubs, dance events, classes, leisure and other sports). Data collection will be fall 2003 through winter 2004. These data will be added to the USDA Community Nutrition Mapping Project, a web-based GIS application. Findings from this research will be used to develop appropriate community based intervention strategies aimed at diabetes control and prevention. Learning Objectives: (1) Describe the assessment of healthy eating and physical activity opportunities in seven diverse communities. (2) Describe the strengths and limitations of each data site.