Community_Assessment_Process_and_Needs_Statement

Community Assessment Process and Needs Statement Problem Statement Childhood obesity is an increasingly growing issue. Children are not receiving proper training and education in nutritional information and activity levels in certain demographics is decreasing. Bountiful Beginnings Nature Camp must expand to help curb this epidemic. Our organization has educated many children over the past several decades, but the education must continue. In order to do so, the organization must expand and reach out to those who may not be able to reach us. This will require funding. A healthy diet helps children grow and learn. It also helps prevent obesity and weight-related diseases, such as diabetes. Many low-income families have no choice but to feed their families with inexpensive foods, such as fast food and high fat items found in the grocery store. Vegetables and fruits tend to be expensive. Technology has also played a role in the lack of education and activity in children. Many children are not getting enough outdoor activity, due to gaming and television. The problem that needs to be solved is to find a way to educate children and families on the ‘seed to table’ concept and getting back to nature and outdoor activities. Bountiful Beginnings Nature Camp is in need of help to expand the program to make this happen, not only in the Virginia and the North Eastern America, but to eventually branch out across the country. Who is in Need' All children and families need to be exposed to the activities that Bountiful Beginnings Nature Camp has to offer. Whether at the actual camp or through online or community forums dedicated to education. Schools and community organizations would have access to our educational materials to share with their students and community members. The Nature Camp is located in Rockbridge County, VA. Nature Camp would like to reach out and expand far beyond this region via online and other community efforts. Why Does this Need Occur' The need for expansion lies in the data. The 2007 National Survey of Children's Health found that 31 percent of Virginia's 10-to-17-year-olds were overweight or obese, an increase since 2003 of 1 percent. This figure puts Virginia just under the national average of 31.6 percent and ranks the state 23rd highest in the country for percentage of overweight or obese children. Virginia's rate was lower than North Carolina (33.5 percent) or Tennessee (36.5 percent), but higher than Maryland (28.8 percent). Utah was lowest in the U.S. at 23.1 percent. (CoV, 2013. Pg. 1) What Evidence Do you have to Support Claim' Consistent with trends nationwide, obesity rates in Virginia have been steadily rising for the last decade and more. The state's current (2011) 29.2 percent obesity rate is higher than the national average (27.8%). Virginia's peer states are also all higher than the national average: Maryland (28.3%), North Carolina (29.1%), and Tennessee (29.2%). Colorado, which has led the nation in lowest obesity rates since 2000, again led in 2011 with 20.7 percent. Of the nine widely accepted Obesity-Related Standards in School, Trust for America's Health's 2011 study found that Virginia met only four (after having added standards in 2009 and 2010): * nutritional standards for competing foods (added in 2010) * physical education * health education * farm-to-school programs (programs which encourage the supply of fresh local produce to schools; added in 2009) Adolescent Overweight and Obesity Among West Virginia’s adolescents in grades 9 through 12 2 14.4% were overweight (> 85th and < 95th percentiles for BMI by age and sex) 14.2% were obese (> 95th percentile for BMI by age and sex) Child Overweight and Obesity Among West Virginia's children aged 2 years to less than 5 years 3 14.4% were overweight (85th to <95th percentile BMI-for-Age) 13.7% were obese (>95th percentile BMI-for-Age) (CDC, 2012) What are the Consequences of Meeting the Need' The only consequences of meeting this need are a positive consequence. Children will receive education on how to grow their own food, learn about utilizing resources, give back to the community and live in a more simple way. Children are our future. If a child does not know where the food they eat comes from, what will they teach future generations' If children do not learn how to live a healthy lifestyle, they may not have the chance to teach their children the benefits of living well. Our environment depends on the education of these children. Our world revolves around our ecosystem. References: Council on Virginia's Future, © CoV 2013 Page 1 http://vaperforms.virginia.gov/indicators/healthFamily/obesity.php Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/stateprograms/fundedstates/west_virginia.html