Social Ecological Model: A Case Study

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Obesity is a major public health concern as it can lead to chronic health diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart diseases. Some major risk factors are lifestyle, SES (Socioeconomic Status), and neighborhood. Lifestyle factors such as eating habits and physical activities impact obesity. Education, social status, and income also play a role in preventing or influencing obesity. Lastly, access or lack of healthy fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods plays a role in obesity. This health issue is affecting people from low income neighborhoods from all ages and ethnicities. Women had a slightly higher prevalence rate of obesity at 38.3 percent than men, who had 34.3 percent rate.1 Obesity rates in 2015 for New York State adults from the ages of 45-64 years old were the highest at 29.9%.2 This is a problem because obesity leads to other chronic illnesses and ultimately premature death. If parents do not improve their eating habits, they will pass down the same unhealthy habits to their younger generations, thus keeping the obesity rates at a high. Society has a hand in the alarming rates of obesity because resources are not accessible to all populations, which is why people from low income neighborhoods such as the South Bronx display higher rates of obesity. As of now, we have statistical research that shows obesity is associated with the leading causes of death, however, we do not have enough intervention programs to prevent and reduce obesity. The overall goal of ORIA is to reduce obesity among adults in the South Bronx to prevent risk of chronic diseases. Significance ORIA will primarily focus on the South Bronx community. We chose to focus in this area because at every age, obesity rates are at least 20 percent and higher in the South Bronx.3 According to Andrew G. Rundle, an epidemiologist at the Mail School of Public Health at Columbia at Columbia University, the Bronx has the highest rate of obesity, with residents facing an estimated of 85 percent higher risk of being obese than people in Manhattan.4 More specifically, we chose to focus on adults because for adults ages 45 and older, the South Bronx has the highest obesity rates compared to NYC.3 By working with this community, we will face a lot of challenges. Some of the challenges we will face include lack of education, lack of resources, and lack of time. Poor people often work longer hours and work multiple jobs, so they tend to eat on the run. They are more likely to consume fast foods and other forms of unhealthy food. They also have less time to exercise and cook. Similarly, people at the age of 45 and older might not feel as motivated to improve their health. Strengths of working specifically with the South Bronx community is the location. The two organizations ORIA will be partnering with, Blink Fitness Gym and Greenmarket have locations in the South Bronx so it will be accessible to our target population. Rationale We chose to take a community approach at reducing obesity because we can influence a larger population in the same period of time. Individuals that join ORIA can invite their close friends and family that need help in maintaining BMI to join as well. While they are learning, they can also make others more aware of how to prevent obesity from occurring, …show more content…
On the interpersonal level of SEM, we will conduct meetings with our volunteers and staff members. Meetings will focus on whether or not our program is improving our priority population’s health. If deemed necessary, we will make changes to make ORIA more effective. For example, if our physical training class time or date is not convenient for our priority population, then we may need to change the time or date with works best for them. ORIA is going to provide both physical activities and cooking workshops because physical activity and healthy nutrition go hand in hand. Our physical activities include Pilates, yoga, cross fit, cardio, Zumba, indoor boot camps, and spinning. These activities will motivate participants to exercise more often and stay active. Cooking workshops will help build healthy cooking skills, motivation to cook more often, and to eat less

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