Creating a Coalition: Preventing Childhood Obesity With Rev It Up!

Thesis (M.Nurs.), College of Nursing, Washington State UniversityObesity is a major health issue in the United States. One-third of the American population is obese and the rate of childhood obesity has tripled since the late 1970s. Obesity increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. According to statistics from the Washington State Department of Health, 29.7% of the population in Yakima is obese and 35.6% are overweight. In 2009, Yakima earned the ranking of the 8th fattest city in America. Recognizing the implications to public health, the Yakima Health District established two main objectives: 1) decrease obesity in Yakima County and 2) create a community coalition to centralize community efforts. Community coalitions have proven to be a successful strategy in engaging community partners with the goal of health improvement. Over an 18 month period, the community coalition successfully facilitated five of seven determined outcomes of interest. Unfortunately, unexpected evolving public health challenges (HINl) assumed the position of priority and coalition efforts were delayed. The coalition is still intact due to successful communication efforts and the process will resume as the HINI priority declines. The Rev It Up! Coalition is an ongoing commllnity effort to reduce obesity in Yakinla County. Obesity affects the health of the entire community and efforts need to remain persistent to bring about change