2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To develop a long-term partnership to foster the development of effective wellness/fitness programs in the Greater Grand Forks Community that will provide opportunities for community based research addressing issues related to the prevention of obesity. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The Grand Forks Parks District (GFPD) will work with community groups to develop wellness/fitness programs and facilities in the Greater Grand Forks Community. The Grand Forks Hunam Nutrition Research Center (GFHNRC) will work with the GFPD to advise on issues related to the health needs of citizens, and the design and implementation of those programs/facilities. Both institutions will work together to identify strategic linkages that will meet the goals of the GFPD and advance the research mission of the GFHNRC. 3.Progress Report This collaboration planned and implemented a pilot program of healthy food choices and physical activity for 311 school-aged children enrolled in Park District summer programs. This used the “eat the rainbow” approach and linked the concepts of low-fat, low-calorie snack and physical activity choices to health and fun. The purpose of the pilot was to gauge community interest in health-related programming and to determine the suitability and outfitting needs of the GFHNRC mobile nutrition laboratory for such use. The experience proved useful in this regard, enabling us to prepare appropriately for conducting obesity prevention research (surveys and interventions) nested in the context of such a summer program. The collaboration also arranged a series of community meetings addressing obesity prevention and healthy food choices. ADODR monitoring included phone calls, meetings, and conference calls.