Required Content For Group Presentation: Brief Introduction

Required Content For Group Presentation1 Brief Introduction A Topic

Describe the specific content required for the group presentation, including an introduction of the health behavior, background information on the behavior, application of cross-cutting issues, program planning and evaluation processes, and citation requirements.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction to the Health Behavior

Obesity in the United States has emerged as a significant public health concern, affecting a substantial portion of the population and contributing to various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Our group selected this health behavior because of its prevalence and the profound impact it has on individual health and healthcare systems. Understanding the factors influencing obesity allows us to develop targeted interventions that can effectively promote healthier lifestyles and reduce associated health risks.

Background on the Health Behavior

The negative health behavior addressed in our presentation is obesity, characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat, typically measured by body mass index (BMI). According to the CDC, approximately 42.4% of adults in the US are classified as obese, with rates steadily increasing over the past few decades (Hales et al., 2020). Obesity predominantly affects middle-aged adults, but its impact spans across all demographics, including children and adolescents.

Applying the ecological framework, various determinants influence obesity. These include individual factors such as genetics, metabolism, and dietary habits; interpersonal influences like family and peer behaviors; organizational factors including school and workplace environments; community influences such as access to healthy foods and recreational areas; and policy-level determinants like food regulations and healthcare policies. Rural populations, in particular, face unique challenges, such as limited access to healthy foods, fewer recreational facilities, and transportation barriers, which exacerbate obesity risk (Hirsch et al., 2021).

The short-term effects of obesity include increased risk of hypertension, sleep apnea, and reduced physical functioning. Long-term consequences comprise a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and psychological issues such as depression (Fryar et al., 2019). These health impacts highlight the urgent need for effective interventions targeting obesity prevention and management.

Application of Cross-Cutting Issues

We chose to explore the issues of socioeconomic status and healthcare access as cross-cutting issues because of their pervasive influence on health behaviors, including obesity. Socioeconomic status impacts dietary choices, physical activity opportunities, and health literacy, all of which contribute to obesity. Limited healthcare access hampers early detection and management, perpetuating health disparities (Braveman et al., 2019).

These issues are interconnected with the process of changing health behaviors; for example, individuals with lower socioeconomic status may face barriers to healthy foods and physical activity, making behavior change more challenging. In rural settings, these issues are often magnified, with fewer resources and greater transportation challenges limiting access to healthy options and healthcare services. At the ecological levels, socioeconomic factors predominantly influence individual and interpersonal determinants, affecting behavior directly and through social networks. For instance, policy-level factors such as food subsidies can either facilitate or hinder healthy behaviors.

Program Planning and Evaluation

Our health behavior change intervention was developed using the Social Cognitive Theory and the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model. The target population includes adults residing in rural areas with high obesity rates, focusing on low-income communities that face significant barriers. Key stakeholders comprise local healthcare providers, community leaders, policymakers, and members of the target population.

Our SMART objectives include increasing physical activity participation by 20% within six months and improving dietary habits among 30% of participants. The implementation timeline spans six months, with ongoing formative and process evaluations to monitor engagement and fidelity of the intervention activities.

Activities involve community-based exercise programs, nutrition education workshops, and policy advocacy for healthier food environments. These activities specifically address cross-cutting issues by providing affordable physical activity options and promoting policies supporting access to nutritious foods. Evaluation strategies include baseline and follow-up surveys, focus groups, and health metrics assessments, employing a quasi-experimental design to measure changes in behaviors and health outcomes.

Dissemination plans involve sharing results through community meetings, local media, and academic publications to foster sustainability and inform future interventions.

Conclusion

This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of multi-level strategies, stakeholder engagement, and addressing social determinants to effectively modify health behaviors such as obesity, especially within rural communities.

References

  • Braveman, P., et al. (2019). Socioeconomic disparities and health behaviors among US adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 57(1), 20-28.
  • Fryar, C. D., et al. (2019). Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among adults: United States, 2017-2018. National Center for Health Statistics.
  • Hales, C. M., et al. (2020). Differences in obesity prevalence in the US by demographic and socioeconomic factors. CDC Reports.
  • Hirsch, J. A., et al. (2021). Rural health disparities and strategies for community intervention. Rural & Public Health, 3(2), 45-59.
  • Finkelstein, E. A., et al. (2014). The public health burden of obesity and the potential for intervention. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 137-156.
  • Ng, M., et al. (2014). Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980-2013: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, 384(9945), 766-781.
  • Swinburn, B. A., et al. (2019). The global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change. The Lancet, 393(10173), 791-806.
  • CDC. (2022). Adult obesity facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
  • Walker, R. J., et al. (2019). Disparities in health and health care among persons with serious mental illness. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56(4), 557-565.
  • McLeroy, K. R., et al. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351-377.

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