Good Science = Good Health
Let's face it... it's hard enough to change our own behavior, even when we know we should. Getting your community to become more health-conscious is not a simple task. However, there's been a lot of research done on how to get folks to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The strategies below are based on the idea that you have to tackle this problem from three different directions:
- Information
- Behavior
- Environment
Take a look at the links below. You can use the practical, evidence-based research to give your community good information about health, encourage changes in behavior, and create an environment where healthy behaviors can flourish.
And you should also take a look at an example of a terrific K-State Research and Extension program that combines all three approaches, Walk Kansas. Walk Kansas operates in almost every county in Kansas, encouraging small teams of co-workers, friends and family members to exercise regularly and eat more fruits and vegetables. It's based on solid science, and besides, the 18,000 Kansans who participated in 2005 can't be wrong!
Informational Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
"Informational approaches focus on increasing physical activity by providing information that will motivate and enable people to change behavior and maintain that change over time."
Behavioral Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
"Behavioral and social approaches focus on increasing physical activity by teaching widely applicable behavioral management skills and by structuring the social environment in ways that provide support for people trying to initiate or maintain behavior changes."
Environmental and Policy Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
"The creation of healthful physical and organizational environments is attempted through development of public policy that supports healthy practices, creation of supportive environments, and strengthening of community action."
Adapted from: "Recommendations to Increase Physical Activity in Communities." American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2002;22(4s), by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Used with permission.