A POLICY, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL (PSE) APPROACH TO IMPROVING HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS AND REDUCING OBESITY PREVALENCE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS IN SYRACUSE, NY

Emily Blake, Hayley Mielnicki, Markell Reid, Francesca Sereno, Jennifer L. Wilkins

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Adolescent obesity persists in the U.S. with nearly 21 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds at or above the 95th percentile of BMI-for-age. With nearly one-third of teens in the Syracuse City School District overweight or obese, district rates exceed national rates. Almost half (49.8%) of SCSD students are African American, a population with disproportionate incidence of obesity. Typical adolescent diets – limited in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and high in added sugar – increase risk for tooth decay, and diet-related chronic diseases. Needs assessment data reveal individual and environmental obstacles to healthy eating among teens: limited food access, availability, and high cost of healthy food, increased independent food purchasing resources, limited nutrition knowledge and social norms. A planned policy, systems and environmental (PSE) approach includes building partnerships with corner store managers to increase availability and promotion of healthy options, establishing new bus routes from target schools to grocery stores, initiating a punch card incentive program, and promoting healthy food via social media, recipes, posters, and informational flyers. Intended outcomes of this program include: increased nutrition knowledge and food preparation skills, increased fruit and vegetable intake and purchase from corner and grocery stores, decreased fast food intake, and increased access to healthy food. Outcomes will be evaluated through pre-and post- surveys of the youth, corner and grocery store sales records and store manager interviews, and social media analytics at the one- and two-year timepoints. PSE approaches can be used to effectively address complex nutrition issues among African American teens.
Original languageEnglish (US)
StatePublished - Apr 4 2019
EventNYS Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting and Expo - Marriott Hotel, Syracuse, NY, United States
Duration: Apr 5 2019Apr 6 2019
https://www.eatrightny.org/ame2019

Conference

ConferenceNYS Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting and Expo
Abbreviated titleNYSAND AME
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySyracuse, NY
Period4/5/194/6/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Obesity
  • African American

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