Project Life-Change

Cynthia Kolsun, Ed.D.

Thomas Hisiro, Ed.D.
Jennifer Riggleman, M.S.
Marshall University

Small Liberal Arts College
800 Students
Located in Elkins, WV
Randolph Co. Population 29,384
Davis and Elkins College
Sport Science Department
3 Majors
Exercise Science
Physical Education
Sport Management

2 Full-Time faculty
1 Part-Time faculty
80 student majors

CDC in 2012 ranked WV 3
rd
in the nation in adult
obesity at 32.5% of the population

67.4% were considered overweight
14.2% of 9
th
-12
th
graders were obese
13.7% of age 2-5 were obese
West Virginia State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Profile. (2012). Retrieved from Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates/west_virginia.html

Obesity in WV

Trust for Americas Health through research, predicts
nationwide obesity rates to continue to rise at a
staggering rate by 2030
In 2030 obesity rates in WV are predicted to increase
to 60.2%
Reducing BMI by 5 points could save the state a
predicted $3.6 billion

Adult Obesity Rates Could Exceed 60% in 13 States by 2030, According to New Study. (2012,
September 18). Retrieved from Trust for America's Health:
http://healthyamericans.org/newsroom/releases/?releaseid=273

Obesity In WV
According to the CDC:
Only 30.6% of adults in WV participate in
regular , moderate (300 minutes/week) or
vigorous (150 minutes/week) activity
33.2% said they had participated in no physical
activity in the past month

West Virginia State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Profile. (2012). Retrieved from Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates/west_virginia.html

Activity in WV
71.9% of adults in WV reported consuming less than
recommended levels of fruits 2 or more times per
day
85.5% of adults in WV reported consuming less than
the recommended levels of vegetables 3 or more
times per day
34.5% drank soda or pop (not including diet sodas) in
the preceding 7 days to the survey.
West Virginia State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Profile. (2012). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates/west_virginia.html



Dietary Habits
Sport Science Department applied to the
Snowshoe Foundation for a grant for a weight
and wellness clinic to be held at Davis and
Elkins College

$5,000 grant award was given in December
2012.
Grant Application

The Mission of the Snowshoe Foundation is to seek to
enhance the quality of life in our local communities
through assisting local organizations and / or individuals
in areas of health, human services, education,
recreation, the arts, culture and the environment, with an
emphasis on children, youth and family programs


Snowshoe Foundation. (2012). Retrieved from Snowshoe Foundation: http://snowshoefoundation.org/

Project Life-Change
Funding Provided Will Include:
1. Lifecycles (2)
2. Food for Cooking Class
3. Supplies: Pedometers, Calipers,
Testing Materials such as BP
cuffs, glucose testing,
cholesterol
testing, etc.
4. Advertising Materials
5. Educational Materials

16 week program
Meeting once per week
Exercise Prescriptions designed
Nutritional Assessment of diet analyzed
Weekly Educational Topics
Free Membership for the 16 weeks at D&E
Fitness Center and Elkins YMCA
Program Design
Program Design
Participants will have pre and post testing:
Functional capacity
Blood Pressure
Glucose
Cholesterol
Level of health knowledge
Decision made to perform a Needs
Assessment Survey
Distributed to
D&E Students, Faculty, and Staff
Community Wellness Database at Davis
Memorial Hospital (serving Randolph and
4 surrounding counties)
Project Life-Change
Survey
44% College Students
8% Faculty Members
18% Staff members
29% Community Members
224 Total Approximately 22% response rate
Participants - Roles
96% White
3% African-American
< 1% Each of the Other Ethnic Groups

Participants - Ethnicity
31% between $25,000-$50,000
31% between $50,000-$99,999
13.7% above $100,000
23.7% below $25,000
Participants
Household Income
34.5% some college but no degree
19.7% bachelors degree
24.2% graduate degree
Participants- Education
44.8% exercise more than 30 min/day on a regular
basis
25.7% were not exercising at all
29.4% sometimes
Exercise
Types of Exercise

62.2% walking
33% weight lifting
30.1% jogging
19% athletic activities
14.3% exercise classes

14.3% not exercising
currently
28.2% do not eat fast food
46.1% eat fast food once a week
21% eat fast food two or more times per week
Fast Food
Weight Loss

16.7% did not want to lose
weight
54% want to lose 20 lbs. or
less
18% want to lose 20-39 lbs.
11.1% want to lose 40 or
more lbs.
Weight Loss Reasons



54% - to feel better
25% - to look better
Obstacles to Healthy Living

Most significant
obstacle :
Lack of Time 27.8%
(Always)

Lack of Motivation
16.7% (Always)

Caretaking Issues
33% (Always and
Sometimes)

No Access to Facilities
or Equipment 36%
(Always and
Sometimes)


Somewhat Interested 56.2% (121 respondents)

Very Interested 18.6% (40 respondents)
Interest In The Program
Beneficial Topics for Program

Most Beneficial Topics

Exercise 57.3%
Diet 51.2%
Cooking 47.7%
Muscular Strength
40.2%
Cholesterol 27.1%
Heart Disease 26%
High Blood Pressure
25.8%
Survey Information Has Provided:

Identification of Interest in Program
Activity Level of Potential Participants
Obstacles to Healthy Living
Educational Topics of Interest
Project Life-Change
Initial Press Release: Grant Award within the next
week
May: More detailed press release with program
information and contact info.
Booth with information at Health Expo and other
community activities during the summer.
Last Press Release in July for participants to sign-
up

Project Life-Change
Project Life-Change
Implement Topics from Survey
Provide childcare
Address Obstacles to Lifestyle
Change
Look Forward to Start Date of

August 14 Open House
August 19 Program Begins

Questions?
Jennifer Riggleman
rigglemanj@dewv.edu
Contact Information