By Sherri Eldreth November 21, 2011 Kaplan University Introduction to Health Education HD Amy Thompson Ph.D., CHES

 According to Delaware Health and Social Service 60 percent of all adult Delawareans are either "overweight“ or “obese.”  The percentage of overweight is 36.2 and the percentage of obese is 24% theses levels have increased over the past 14 years.  Obesity in Men is estimated at 24.6% and women at 23.4% not showing a significant difference.  Obesity Prevention and Treatment Education in Delaware is only available to those that have a primary diagnosis of a chronic diseases like diabetes or heart condition. State health insurance does not consider obesity as a primary diagnosis as a covered treatment or need for education. (DHSS, 2003)

 Stakeholders -physicians, fitness center instructors and owners, local corporation executives, school and hospital health education professional, and participants.  Planning Models- Health Belief Model and Stages of Change Model  Factors that may hinder implementation ◦ Lack of Interest by Stakeholders ◦ Lack of Funds through Grants etc ◦ Lack of Interest in the Community

 The first thing that will be done is a complete assessment of the community will be conducted to make sure all the needs this will involve facts and figures gathered from Health and Social Services, area clinics and schools.  Then within six months there will be a series meetings of all stakeholders wishing to take part in the implementation of the program.  A mission statement, goals and objectives will be created.  There will be a decision on how to and who to offer the program at what cost will the program be offered.  There will be an assigned group of stakeholders that will work on the financial end of the program. They will research and apply for grants and funding to run the program. After all of this there will be a preliminary evaluation of the program to include a small pilot program to evaluate the potential success of the program.  Within the year the program will be fully implemented.

To educate on ways to prevent and treat obesity through education.

 Educate on importance of improving Physical Activity and Opportunities of the participants in the program.  Educate on nutrition choices and how to access healthy food choices and limit unhealthy food and beverage choices.  Educate of proper ways to lose weight effectively through nutrition and exercise.  Educate on how to obtain help with weight loss through bariatric surgeries when appropriate.

 Within 4 months of implementation of the program reach 20% of the obese patients in the target population.  Within 5 months of implementation have 15% of those participants in the program enrolled in a program that promotes healthy physical activity.  Within 5 months of implementation have 20% of the target population enrolled and graduated from a nutrition program that promotes and educates on nutrition for weight loss.  Within 5 months have all participants that qualify for help from a local bariatric center enrolled in a bariatric program for weight loss.  One year after implementation there will be evaluations conducted by an independent organization in order to identify inefficiencies in the program and suggest areas of improvement.

 First Evaluation will be a pilot program  Secondly, surveys filled out by participants  Third, Evaluations conducted by stakeholders  Fourth, Yearly Independent Evaluations conducted by an Independent Organization

 American Public Health Association – Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section  Society for Public Health Education or SOPHE Valuable resources for program ideas, the newest health technology, and access to health research.

 Public Awareness ◦ Through flyers, radio and television, and websites  Advocate for your cause ◦ Seek the help of stakeholder ◦ Seek the help of legislators ◦ Seek the help of school and other community leaders

 Allensworth, C. I. (2010). Health promotion Programs: From Theory to Practice. San Francisco: Jossey- Bass.  American Public Health Association – Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section (APHA-PHEHPS). Retrieved on November 12, 2011 from  Delaware Health and Social Services(DHSS), Delaware Behavioral Health Data From the 2003 BRFS Retrieved On October 8, 2011from  Graham, M. (2010). Economics of Obesity: Causes and Solutions. Region ( ), 24(3), 73. Retrieved from EBSCOhost on October 10,  Kim, K., Bursac, Z., DiLillo, V., White, D., & West, D. (2009). Stress, race, and body weight. Health Psychology, 28(1), doi: /a  National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. NCHEC (2010) The Health Education Specialist: A Companion Guide for Professional Excellence.  Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). Retrieved on November 12, 2011 from