Filling in the Food Security Gaps: Examining The Farmers\u27 Market System in Norwalk, Connecticut

Farmers’ markets are seen as important venues for increasing access to nutritious food and mitigating chronic diseases. The 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment found chronic disease/obesity to be the primary health priority for the Greater Norwalk Region. In Norwalk, the prevalence of adult obesity reported in 2017 (22%) was significantly higher than the surrounding towns (11%). Farmers’ markets (FM) could be a potential approach to mitigating Norwalk’s chronic disease/obesity challenges through increasing access to nutritious food sources. While there are several small farmers’ markets held each summer in Norwalk, not much is known about the benefits and challenges of farmers’ market utilization in Norwalk from the perspectives of key stakeholders. The Norwalk Health Department hopes to increase farmers’ market usage as an approach to filling important food security gaps. The objectives of this study were as follows: Identify barriers and benefits of the Norwalk farmers’ market system from the perspective of consumers, farmers, and market managers in the Norwalk farmers’ market system, and increase community access to local, state, and federal resources.https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysph_pbchrr/1021/thumbnail.jp

Characteristics of High-Risk Groups: Analysis of Norwalk Student Body Mass Index (BMI) Data

1 in 3 children in the United States is currently classified as overweight or obese, and this prevalence increases as age rises. Obesity varies by racial, environmental, ethnic and socioeconomic factors as well as genetic factors. Childhood obesity is more prevalent among African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican-Americans than in whites, as well as in lower income families.1 2 3 Connecticut has one of the lowest childhood obesity rates in the nation (~11%), yet Norwalk’s childhood obesity rate is well above this mark at 22%4. This project reflects a partnership between the Norwalk Health Department and Norwalk Public Schools to create a report on childhood obesity in Norwalk stratified by age, gender, race, and free and reduced-price lunch eligibility. The objectives of this project were to 1) Analyze BMI data to determine if disparities in obesity prevalence in Norwalk Public Schools exist by demographic characteristics and understand how trends in obesity prevalence have changed over time. 2) Conduct qualitative analyses to identify areas for improvement by both the Norwalk Health Department and the Norwalk Public School System.https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysph_pbchrr/1027/thumbnail.jp

Effects of an Education and Physical Activity Program on Health and Physical Fitness Variables in Children

University and public health collaborative partnerships have been active in health promotion and research; however, the majority of these partnerships have been between health departments and academic programs in public health. The purpose of this study was to determine if health-related variables were enhanced among children enrolled in a program that incorporates education, aerobic training, and resistance training provided by collaborative partners in public health and exercise science. Fit Kids (FK) was designed provided by an academic department in exercise science and a local health department. FK provides biweekly, 1-hr education and exercise sessions provided by health department professionals, exercise science faculty, and students. A pre–post quasi-experimental design assessed physical and self-esteem variables in children enrolled in FK and comparison subjects. Paired t tests were used to assess mean changes in health and fitness variables among FK participants (n = 21) and a comparison group (n = 18). Decreased body fat percentage (17.7–13.7, p = .00), increased vertical jump (5.6–7 in., p = .00), hand grip strength (17.1–24.8 kg, p = .01), and self-esteem (13.9–15.8, p = .04) were observed among intervention subjects. Changes only in hand grip and jump scores were observed in comparison subjects. More variables changed positively in intervention participants, suggesting an exercise science and public health partnership may positively impact health-promoting variables in children

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Active Transportation Among Key Stakeholders in Norwalk, CT

To characterize the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding active transportation among key stakeholders in Norwalk. Specifically, the project aimed to identify: 1. Social, physical, and financial barriers to walking and biking 2. Perceived importance and utility of bike lanes and sidewalks 3. Priority improvements to make the city more conducive to active transportation 4. The most important areas on which to educate the general public about active transportationhttps://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysph_pbchrr/1013/thumbnail.jp