2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to evaluate the nutritional health in the Lower Mississippi Delta, to identify nutritionally responsive problems, and to design and evaluate interventions that may be sustained at the community level and implemented on a larger scale in similar areas of the United States. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Developing capacity as necessary, the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) Consortium will identity environmental and community characteristics related to nutritional status; measure dietary intake; assess nutritional risk factors; design, conduct, and evaluate interventions in the Lower Mississippi Delta. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) specifically will support community-based participatory research activities in Marvell, AR, and other sites as mutually agreed upon. In addition, UAPB will maintain nutrition assessment research and interventions to improve health and well-being of individuals and families in the Lower Mississippi Delta region, and collaborate with other Delta NIRI partners to develop and implement nutrition assessment research projects. UAPB will also develop a Community Resource and Outreach Center to build capacity in Delta communities utilizing research-based interventions, and increase outreach/intervention programs through nutrition and health promotion. 3.Progress Report Monitoring of cooperator’s performance and adherence to conditions of the agreement was by: a strategic planning session; two site visits (one for data collection and one for technical assistance); quarterly reports consisting of budgetary material, progress towards goals and objectives, and review of publications and manuscripts in progress; community visits to determine progress at research sites and numerous conference calls and emails. 4.Accomplishments Marvell NIRI Youth Obesity Prevention Youth Summer Intervention: The prevalence of obesity in children and youth in the US continues to increase, and the obesity rates in children living in the Delta are higher than the national average. The Lower Mississippi Delta NIRI facilitated the Marvell NIRI (AR) in developing and implementing an obesity prevention pilot feasibility study that addressed healthy eating and increasing physical activity of children enrolled in a 6-week Summer Youth Program. Researchers from the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff, in collaboration with other Lower Mississippi Delta NIRI partners, developed and implemented the first phase of this obesity prevention program. The program included nutrition education lessons, the SPARK physical activity intervention, and WillTry, which exposed over 120 participants to new healthy snacks including fruits and vegetables. It is anticipated that the children will make some positive changes by increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables through healthy snacks and increasing their level of physical activity. (NP 107, Human Nutrition Action Plan 2004-2008: Component 7: Health Promoting Intervention Strategies for Targeted Populations: ARS Strategic Plan Objective 4.l: Promote Healthier Individual Food Choices and Lifestyles and Prevent Obesity: and Performance Measure 4.1.1: Execute and report on two completed Delta NIRI projects) Marvell NIRI Walking Club and Sustainability Intervention: The prevalence of obesity in adults in the US continues to increase, and the obesity rates in adults living in the Delta are higher than the national average. Community members of the Marvell NIRI (AR), a research site of the Lower Mississippi Delta NIRI, provided leadership and the coordination of activities for 52 participants enrolled in a physical activity walking intervention. This intervention focused on the positive outcomes of physical activity, including weight loss, reduction of blood pressure, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and it incorporated successful strategies to increase and maintain physical activity to a minimum of 30 minutes, 5 days a week. University partners served as resource persons, collected follow-up measurements, and assisted with monthly accomplishment meetings. Implementation of this intervention is important, since it signifies the leadership of rural citizens to coordinate a research intervention with the goal of creating positive lifestyle changes related to nutrition and physical activity that can be sustained in the community after such research is completed. (NP 107, Human Nutrition Action Plan 2004-2008: Component 7: Health Promoting Intervention Strategies for Targeted Populations: ARS Strategic Plan Objective 4.l: Promote Healthier Individual Food Choices and Lifestyles and Prevent Obesity: and Performance Measure 4.1.1: Execute and report on two completed Delta NIRI projects) Training and Pilot Testing of Delta NIRI Food Frequency Manual: Additional examination of nutrition intervention procedural methods was needed to further enhance these tools prior to implementation. Lower Mississippi Delta NIRI cooperating scientists conducted a training workshop to pilot test the procedures manual that was developed to standardize data collection procedures and to ensure the collection of quality and reliable data. Twenty participants from Delta NIRI and community partners participated in training and pilot testing, and provided recommendations for strengthening procedures. The Delta NIRI Food Frequency Manual can be used by different groups to train individuals to properly administer the food frequency questionnaire. (NP 107, Human Nutrition Action Plan 2004-2008: Component 3: Nutrition Monitoring and Component 7: Health Promoting Intervention Strategies for Targeted Populations: ARS Strategic Plan Objective 4.l: Promote Healthier Individual Food Choices and Lifestyles and Prevent Obesity: and Performance Measure 4.1.1: Execute and report on two completed Delta NIRI projects) 6.Technology Transfer