Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
3-2021
Abstract
Goal Statement: The goal of my social change portfolio is to identify resources and create a potential plan to prevent adult obesity.
Significant Findings: Adults with obesity have increased in Mississippi and within my community because of income inequality, limited access to health providers, and mental, emotional, and physical distress (CDC, n.d.; County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). Lowndes County adult obesity rates are at 37%, whereas the national average is 29% (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). The key findings of my project indicate that African American and Hispanic ethnicities are affected by obesity most and Black females reported the highest rate of obesity at 50% (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018; MSDH, 2017). Additionally, the trend for adult obesity in Lowndes County is increasing due to limited exercise opportunities, pulbic transportation, and access to healthy food options as 20% of the population does not live near a grocery store (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018).
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Prevention is the primary objective of professionals through infusing a systemic, ecological approach and community and multidisciplinary collaboration (Conyne, Horne, & Raczynski, 2013; Paydar & Johnson, 2020). Strategies, such as advocating for equity in public policy, offering psychoeducation groups, resources and supportive programs in marginalized communities may provide direction related to best practices, diversity and cultural relevance, program development and evaluation. Collaboration and consultation maybe used to cross boundaries between health and mental health professionals and between scientific and community experts (Conyne, Horne, & Raczynski, 2013). Specifically, establishing partnerships with existing agencies that facilitate evidence-based programs (EBPs), such as Champ4Life, to garner experience, knowledge, and understanding related to preventing obesity are beneficial (Silva et al., 2020).
