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![Nature & scope of proposed project:
According to the Food Research and Action Center (2010) residents of low-income or
food insecure neighborhoods face many challenges in regards to adopting healthful behaviors.
Low-income areas have reduced access to healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables or
low-fat options because they often lack full-service grocery stores and farmers markets. This
restricts residents, especially those with limited transportation, to shopping at convenience stores
where such foods are not readily available (Food Research and Action Center [FRAC], 2010). If
healthier food options are available, they are more expensive than foods that contain ingredients
such as refined grains, added sugars and fat, or are of poorer quality.
The second barrier faced in low-income neighborhoods is the reduced opportunity for
physical activity. Such areas have limited or no access to recreational facilities such as fitness
centers or parks. These facilities may be unaffordable or the area may suffer from high crime
rates, making playing outside unappealing and dangerous. Lastly, schools located in low-income
neighborhoods are less likely to have access to funding, resulting in a lack of recess or physical
education curriculum. The combination of these barriers acting against residents of low-income
areas can result in poor health status and obesity (FRAC, 2010). Singh et al (2010) concluded in
their research study that children from low-income families were two times more likely to be
obese than children from higher income households. This is problematic because obesity and
poor health status as child can progress; those who are overweight in childhood are 75-80% more
likely to be overweight or obese in adulthood. Overweight and obesity can lead to other heath
issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, orthopedic problems, depression, low self-esteem,
poor academic performance, unhealthy weight control patterns and premature death (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011).
The residents of Ossining, NY experience similar limitations and barriers, making
maintaining healthy habits such as a nutritious, balanced diet and physical activity difficult for
themselves and for their children. According to the CDC (2010) children learn behavioral habits
at an early age and these habits, whether they are positive or negative, are carried over into
adulthood. Thus, the need for instilling physical activity and healthy eating behaviors during
childhood is imperative. Research also shows that children are influenced by a social network
such as family members, emphasizing the importance of involving them during early childhood
interventions (CDC, 2010). With this being said, the project I am proposing involves
researching, coordinating and implementing an evidence-based health education program that is
intended to foster healthy habits amongst children. The program will be delivered in St. Ann’s
local parish school that is located in a low-income neighborhood within Ossining and
experiences limited funding for extra programs. St. Ann’s is home to the “Peas and Karrots” pre-school
and after school program for children ages 3-8 with the goal of providing a fun and safe
learning environment. The health education program I am proposing will be delivered by me and
by the Open Door Family Medical Centers Wellness Program AmeriCorps members to the target
population in conjunction with an already existing physical activity program. The purpose of this
is to promote healthful behaviors at a young age and to avoid health problems associated with
poor health status in the future. The children will receive the health education curriculum in the
form of fun lessons and activities, all of which will be adapted from an evidence-based health
education curriculum known as Eat, Play, Grow! The teachers will also receive training sessions
at the school which will include key messages on topics including nutrition and physical activity
so that they may educate the children on their own as well throughout the school year. In
Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 2](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/6d1b436c-98eb-4e5f-8113-6d98b7eae7d3-141201192225-conversion-gate02/85/Cristina-Guerra_Practicum-Application-2-320.jpg)
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Cristina Guerra_Practicum Application
- 1. Practicum Application StudentName: Cristina Guerra ID number: 1119243 Agency/Organization: Open Door Family Medical Center: Wellness Department Agency Physical Address: 2 Church Street, Suite 101, Ossining, NY, 10562 Mailing address if different: N/A Site Supervisor Name, Degree(s) & Title: Tammy Evans, MPH, Wellness Program Administrator Phone number: (914) 502-1332 Fax number: (914) 502-1456 Email address:tevans@odfmc.org Academic Advisor Name, Degree(s) & Title: Penny Liberatos MA, Mphil, PhD. Assistant Professor and Director, MPH Studies Behavioral Science and Health Promotion Phone number: (914) 594-4804 Fax number: (914) 594- 4853 Email address: penny_liberatos@nymc.edu Practicum Proposal: Implementing an evidence-based program to promote health education and physical activity within a child care summer program at St. Ann’s Parish School, Ossining, NY. Start date: June 24, 2014 End date: November 15, 2014 Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 1
- 2. Nature & scopeof proposed project: According to the Food Research and Action Center (2010) residents of low-income or food insecure neighborhoods face many challenges in regards to adopting healthful behaviors. Low-income areas have reduced access to healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables or low-fat options because they often lack full-service grocery stores and farmers markets. This restricts residents, especially those with limited transportation, to shopping at convenience stores where such foods are not readily available (Food Research and Action Center [FRAC], 2010). If healthier food options are available, they are more expensive than foods that contain ingredients such as refined grains, added sugars and fat, or are of poorer quality. The second barrier faced in low-income neighborhoods is the reduced opportunity for physical activity. Such areas have limited or no access to recreational facilities such as fitness centers or parks. These facilities may be unaffordable or the area may suffer from high crime rates, making playing outside unappealing and dangerous. Lastly, schools located in low-income neighborhoods are less likely to have access to funding, resulting in a lack of recess or physical education curriculum. The combination of these barriers acting against residents of low-income areas can result in poor health status and obesity (FRAC, 2010). Singh et al (2010) concluded in their research study that children from low-income families were two times more likely to be obese than children from higher income households. This is problematic because obesity and poor health status as child can progress; those who are overweight in childhood are 75-80% more likely to be overweight or obese in adulthood. Overweight and obesity can lead to other heath issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, orthopedic problems, depression, low self-esteem, poor academic performance, unhealthy weight control patterns and premature death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). The residents of Ossining, NY experience similar limitations and barriers, making maintaining healthy habits such as a nutritious, balanced diet and physical activity difficult for themselves and for their children. According to the CDC (2010) children learn behavioral habits at an early age and these habits, whether they are positive or negative, are carried over into adulthood. Thus, the need for instilling physical activity and healthy eating behaviors during childhood is imperative. Research also shows that children are influenced by a social network such as family members, emphasizing the importance of involving them during early childhood interventions (CDC, 2010). With this being said, the project I am proposing involves researching, coordinating and implementing an evidence-based health education program that is intended to foster healthy habits amongst children. The program will be delivered in St. Ann’s local parish school that is located in a low-income neighborhood within Ossining and experiences limited funding for extra programs. St. Ann’s is home to the “Peas and Karrots” pre-school and after school program for children ages 3-8 with the goal of providing a fun and safe learning environment. The health education program I am proposing will be delivered by me and by the Open Door Family Medical Centers Wellness Program AmeriCorps members to the target population in conjunction with an already existing physical activity program. The purpose of this is to promote healthful behaviors at a young age and to avoid health problems associated with poor health status in the future. The children will receive the health education curriculum in the form of fun lessons and activities, all of which will be adapted from an evidence-based health education curriculum known as Eat, Play, Grow! The teachers will also receive training sessions at the school which will include key messages on topics including nutrition and physical activity so that they may educate the children on their own as well throughout the school year. In Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 2
- 3. addition, an informationalpamphlet summarizing the health topics covered will be sent home to parents and caregivers to encourage reinforcement of important health behaviors while at home. The teachers will also receive these same handouts and will be given a pre and post test survey to determine the effectiveness of this training program. Objectives: 1. By 6/24/ 2014, identify the need for a children’s health education program in the Ossining community by working with Tammy Evans to identify any programs that are already in place and determining which of those programs can be enhanced. 2. By 7/1/2014, identify 3 barriers that are faced by low income residents and their children in maintaining healthful behaviors. 3. By 7/15/2014, research and coordinate the implementation of an evidenced-based health education program for children 6 years old and under. 4. By 7/17/2014, develop a pre/post survey on children’s eating and physical activity behaviors. 5. By 7/20/2014, design and develop an informational pamphlet intended for parents to understand what was covered during the health education program in order to encourage reinforcement within the child’s home. 6. By 7/24/2014, deliver health education curriculum to the target population. 7. By 10/25, develop a pre/post survey on teacher (adult) knowledge of nutrition and physical activity. 8. By 11/4/2014, identify relevant topics and objectives from Healthy People 2020. 9. By 11/10/2014, adapt nutrition information from Eat, Play, Grow! Curriculum to deliver to ley audience (teachers) so that they may deliver information to their students. Strategies to be used: Will establish the rationale behind the need for a health education program in the target community and present relevant information in regards to why the target population is in need of such a program. Will independently research already existing evidence-based programs developed to promote health education in the target population by researching peer-reviewed articles and journal articles via NIH, WHO and CDC. Will familiarize myself with the health education curriculum and work with Tammy Evans, MPH, to coordinate the delivery of the health education program within the school. Will utilize the “train the trainer” model by training an AmeriCorps volunteer to assist with program delivery. Will independently research health education and physical activity information via the CDC, NIH and other relevant databases to develop informational pamphlets for parents of the participants. Will identify relevant Healthy People 2020 topics and objectives to deliver to teachers for an understanding of the basis for this project. Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 3
- 4. Will identifykey nutritional and physical activity messages from evidenced-based Eat, Play, Grow! Curriculum to deliver to the teachers of St. Ann’s so that they can utilize information and teach their own students. Site resources to be used (if special permission is needed to gain access to data, records, etc. how it will be arranged): No special permission is needed to gain access to data or records Identify which competencies you will be developing during the course of your practicum: BSHP P4 -Describe the major issues in health education and effecting change in individuals, groups, and communities. BSHP C3 -Describe the steps and procedures for the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, policies and interventions. BSHP C4 -Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions. EPI C3- Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place. HPM C5- Describe the principles of community-based needs assessment and the development of programs to address those needs. Final products: Practicum report Practicum poster Information pamphlets Pre/post survey for children Pre/post survey for teachers Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 4
- 5. References: Centers forDisease Control and Prevention. (2010). Promoting healthy eating and physical activity for a healthier nation. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/publications/pdf/pp-ch7.pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/obesityandkids/ Food Research and Action Center. (2010). Consequences of childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/what-are-the-consequences-of- childhood-overweight-and-obesity/ Food Research and Action Center. (2010). Why low-income and food insecure people are vulnerable to overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and- obesity/why-are-low- income-and-food- insecure-people-vulnerable-to-obesity/ Singh, G. K., Siahpush, M., & Kogan, M. D. (2010). Rising social inequalities in US childhood obesity, 2003-2007. Annals of Epidemiology, 20(1), 40-52. Cristina Guerra Practicum Application 5