Running Head: PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY

Program Plan for Women against Obesity Valerie Griffith Western Washington University

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY Statement of Need In our country, the rate of obesity in women needs to be addressed. Factors that lead to obesity are behaviors and environment. Obesity can lead to further illness such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer. There is a program across the country that works with obese men and women known as Overeaters Anonymous, but not all obese women are comfortable sharing personal stories around men and want to go by a faith based program. There is also Weight Watchers which offers women support but can be costly. A new program that offers low income, obese women a place to socialize, share stories and tips may be the solution. If there were a new program in Whatcom County that motivated women to stick with a routine through peer support and motivation, then the wellbeing of women in Whatcom County would increase overtime. The amount of obese women in Whatcom County would decrease and their health will show improvement. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the amount of obese people in the United States has increased dramatically over the last 20 years and remains high. Half of our country had a prevalence of obesity greater than 20% in 2000. In 2010, there were no states with a prevalence of obesity less than 20% (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). According to the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, 60% of Whatcom Countys population is obese (Washington State Department of Health, 2008). According to the Womens Funding Alliance (2004), one in four women is affected by obesity in Whatcom County (Health and Well-Being, p. 37). According to the CDC, higher income women are less likely to be obese than low-income women who make less than $16,755 a year (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010).

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY Due to the growing number of women affected by obesity in the US and in Whatcom

County, it is important for us to understand the needs of this population. Obesity is a significant issue among women today. According to Womens Health (2009), BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight, and if your BMI is over 30, you are considered obese (Overweight, obesity, and weight loss fact sheet). One major risk factor for obesity is behaviors. Behaviors include eating too many calories and not having a well-balanced diet. Another behavior that leads to obesity is not exercising and living a sedentary lifestyle. In this generation, it is easier for people to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and not take the time to eat well and work out. A healthy lifestyle will help maintain weight and make you less likely to develop a more chronic illness. The dietary and physical activity guidelines can be found at health.gov. Every individuals plan is different. Another risk factor for obesity is environment. Women who are under a lot of stress and dont get enough sleep are at a higher risk for being obese. Exercise can help to improve your ability to handle stress and help you sleep better at night. Researchers found that self-image has changed and that obesity has become more socially acceptable (Kaiser, 2007). With the rise in obesity throughout the country, this social acceptance is bound to happen as it continues to get worse. Women feel like they cant do anything about their bodies so they learn to accept their weight. This trend is dangerous, because these women who accept their weight and dont do anything about it are putting themselves at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. According to Kaiser (2007), if a woman's sister or same-sex friend was overweight, her risk of gaining weight increased (Obesity among women in U.S. becoming more socially acceptable, study says). If this is true, then a buddy system could

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY possibly work to lose weight as well. This is why I am seeking $10,000 to support this program that will take one step towards reversing the obesity epidemic. Program Description The Women Against Obesity Logic Model is another tool that can be utilized in understanding how the programs inputs, strategy, and activities will help the program meet its short-term outputs, as well as longer term outcome and impact on a community level. This model will be a guide in working to achieve its Theory of Change. The theory of change for Women against Obesity is: If we provide an affordable self- help group with a discounted gym membership for low income women who are obese, the rate of obesity will cease to increase. In two to five years this program will have an outcome of fewer low-income women who are obese. This result will be measured by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey which is distributed by DSHS. Each year, the outputs will be measured on client level. The outputs are that 20 women are attending meetings regularly, 50% of clients are reaching their individual goals and 80% of clients are satisfied with the service that Woman against Obesity is providing. A way to measure that clients are meeting their goals is to track their progress weekly. In their initial appointment, they will create attainable and realistic goals. To measure that 80% of clients are satisfied with Woman against Obesity, they will be able to provide feedback in a box, which will be at every meeting. As the client, you will attend your first meeting. During this meeting, you will be assessed on your weight and income status. When the client is given the okay to be a part of the group, then they will get to know the other women. In the meetings thereafter, three times a week, these women will start to get to know each other and form friendships. During this time,

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY they will be supportive of each other. Recipes, stories, what grocery stores have the best sales and all of that crucial information to empower these low- income women to get into shape will

be shared among each other. They will be offered a discount gym membership through the group and with their newly formed friendships will motivate each other to get moving. It is important for these obese low-income women to go to a public gym to get over their insecurities that they might have. One day a week will be the designated weigh in day. All results will be tracked weekly. At the end of each month, the results will be shared privately with each client. If the client wishes to reveal their progress to the group they may. The program will be run by a program coordinator and this person will be responsible for attending the meetings and making sure they stay on task and that everything is done correctly. The program coordinator will also explain to the volunteers their tasks. Another thing that the program coordinator will do is make the fliers for the program and distribute them to local nonprofits and doctors. There will be 3 volunteers each meeting. These volunteers can often change. Volunteers can be women struggling with obesity themselves and share their own personal feats but are not required to. There is one volunteer who will track weights of the women, one volunteer to take care of food and beverages and the last volunteer will be handling the money. Upon receiving the grant, the program coordinator will start right away on the flier for Women against Obesity. After a week of creating the flier and printing off copies, they will be distributed to different nonprofits that service to women. There will also be fliers given to local hospitals, where primary care physicians can refer women to the group. During the two months between distributing the fliers and the first meeting, volunteers will be found, the clubhouse location will be found and dates set up for renting the room, the collaboration with the gym will

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY be set and at least 10 women will have called interested in attending the group. The first meeting will be where the clients will introduce themselves, measurements will be taken and goals will be set. Over the next year, our plan will be implemented and the success of the program will be tracked and reviewed annually. Activities Timeline for Women against Obesity

Create Fliers Jan Distribute Fliers Jan Find Volunteers Find Location Collaborate With Gym Implement Evaluate

Feb- Mar Feb- Mar Feb- Mar April April -Mar

Women against Obesity is going to be set up a lot like Overeaters Anonymous except this program will not be faith based or have steps that the client must meet. The program will be based around individual goals and needs. The members will support each other in any way possible. The clients will not be looked at like they have an addiction problem, but to inspire a positive self-image and motivation through each others triumphs, support and inspiration. The clients are not expected to pay to attend the meetings, but the program will be ran on donations, so it is encouraged that they donate when they can, even if it is only a dollar. The gym membership is a plus and members will have to pay for that out of pocket, but they are not required to go to the gym as long as they are fulfilling their fitness levels somehow. There wont be any competition between Women against Obesity and Overeaters Anonymous because they are different approaches and it is up to the client to choose which is best for them.

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY Logic Model: Women against Obesity Theory of Change: If we provide an affordable self- help group with a discounted gym membership for low income women who are obese, the rate of obesity will cease to increase.

Resources

Activities Annual

Outputs Annual About 20 clients in regular attendance 50% of clients meeting their goals 80% satisfaction from clients (feedback box)

Outcomes 2-5 Years Fewer lowincome women are obese. (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey by DSHS)

Impact 20 Years No more obese low-income women.

Program Coordinator

Market Program

Budget of $500 (food, materials, etc.)

Offer support Provide guest speakers

Provide snacks and drinks

3 volunteers x 8 hours $522. 96 in in-kind Value (Independent sector value of volunteer hour)

Set personal goals Weekly check-ins Monthly goal reviews

Gym collaboration

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY Program Evaluation As with any program plan, including Women against Obesity, it is necessary to evaluate the process, program, and the outcomes, in order to ensure success is coming from the program. The long term impact and the outcome, 2-5 years, will be measured using DSHS Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. This survey will tell us the percentage of women who are obese. We can then compare them to previous years to insure that our program is making the impact and meeting the goals that we set for our community. At client level, we will be able to track the progress of each individual client and ensure that they are meeting their personal goals. We will also be provided with feedback from the clients to better fit their needs and grow as a successful program. This program will be extremely cost efficient. With obesity, come other health complications such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. If we stay within our proposed budget and get the money through donations that we need to run this program, other health costs from these low income women will be less likely upon their success through the program. In return, this is more money they will be saving, because they arent paying extremely high medical bills, which can be ideally returned to the program through donations. If clients feel that Women against Obesity is a program that is truly helping them through one of the biggest issues they probably have had for far too long, they will want to give back for the happiness the program has allowed them to feel. They will also be encouraged to try and help with food and beverages as well, which if they do then that will be less expense from the program once in a while. Also, with this self-help program there is only one staff member to coordinate the process of the program. We will be saving money right there with just the type of program it is.

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY Budget Expense or Income Program Coordinator Description Makes fliers, distributes fliers, answers phone calls, in charge of volunteers and makes sure meeting run smoothly Supplies, food, etc. Everything needed for meetings Volunteer Help with food, donations and measurements. Donations Varies Unknown N/A $27, 194 In Kind $6,000 N/A Amount $15,200 % FT/ PT 50% FT

Total Expenses: $21, 200

Budget Narrative

PROGRAM PLAN FOR WOMEN AGAINST OBESITY When we receive this $10,000 grant our timeline of action will be put into place. This money will allow us to get started and promote this program within our community. This money will allow the program coordinator to prepare for the first meeting and get paid before the donations are accepted. Over the course of a year our total expenses are estimated at $21, 200. That is a total of $1060 per client. Our expenses would be paid off by our client solely if each client donated $88 a month. This is an attainable income if we are receiving more than just donations from clients. Conclusion Obesity is a major issue in Whatcom County. With one in every four women obese in our county and a majority of them low-income, it is absolutely necessary to implement a plan to put our foot down and make some changes to this obesity epidemic. Women against Obesity would be an excellent self-help program. It would offer service to low income women to get the help that they need while being affordable and sustainable over time. This program would offer a safe place for women to come together and find support, motivation and empowerment while going through an extreme transformation. During meetings women can share experiences, recipes, grocery store sales and make new friends. While going to meetings, the clients can get a discount gym membership. They can go together to keep each other on the right track to becoming healthier.

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References Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). US obesity trends. Retrieved on April 20, 2012 from: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html#State Heart Healthy Women. (2005). Overweight, obesity, and heart failure. Retrieved on April 22, 2012 from: http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/am-i-at-risk/obesityoverweight/hfobesity.html Kaiser. (2007). Obesity among women in U.S. becoming more socially acceptable, study says. Medical News Today. Retrieved on April 22, 2012 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/79184.php. Washington State Department of Health. (2008). Center for health statistics: behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS). Retrieved on April 20, 2012 from: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/health/pdf/brfss_report2007.pdf Womens Funding Alliance. (2004). Health and well-being. Retrieved on April 22, 2012 from: http://www.wfalliance.org/work/acloserlook/WFA_Health_WellBeing.pdf Womens Health. (2009). Overweight, obesity, and weight loss fact sheet. Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/ourpublications/factsheet/overweight-weight-loss.cfm#b