Targeting and Local Health Promotion

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Almost two-thirds of our adult population is overweight, and more than one-third are obese. The obesity rate is twice what it was in 1970. Most local health departments try to address this problem with nutrition and weight control clinics, but these clinics are often underutilized. This study examined the effects of nine independent variables on a person\u27s inclination to use a nutrition/weight control clinic at ·a local health department in one of Utah\u27s twelve health districts. It was undertaken to identify the types of individuals who were most likely to use a public clinic for this type of service. Worry about heart disease and the existence of heart problems were found to be significant predictors, but their effects were found to be captured by three other easily identified variables; namely, acceptance of heart screens, being overweight, and being female. These three variables were found to have the most significant effects on potential use of this type of service. Income and education failed to show the general effects reported in the research literature. This underscores the need for locally relevant data for assessing the potential use of a service offered by a particular health department in a specific service area. The implications for targeting individuals with tailored messages are discussed