H.E.A.L.T.H.Y. S.B.C.
Healthy Eating Active Living Toward a Healthy You
Santa Barbara County
HEALTHY WEIGHT PROMOTION & OBESITY PREVENTION PLAN
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
9/13/11
Introduction
As in the rest of the nation, obesity is a major health problem among the residents of Santa Barbara
County. Excess weight is associated with several leading causes of death and disease, including heart
disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, hypertension, and other illness. Working with various
community partners, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has developed the Healthy
Weight Promotion and Obesity Prevention Plan outlined below. The plan proposes a long-term,
comprehensive approach to healthy weight promotion, involving multiple strategies and a diverse set of
community participants.
Obesity-Related Data
Over half of adults (54.3%) and a third of teens (34.4%) in Santa Barbara County were overweight or
obese in 2009.1 Obesity rates were generally higher among lower-income and other groups. For
example, 73% of Latino adults were overweight or obese, compared to 49% of Whites. While
overweight and obesity rates have been stable among Whites for the past 10 years, rates among Latinos
have increased by 6% since 2001.
Screening of lower-income preschool and kindergarten children by the County Education Office Health
Linkages Program found a combined overweight/obesity rate of 43% in 2010-11.2 Over a third (33.5%)
of 2-5 year olds served by the County’s Women Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition program in 2010
were overweight or obese.3 The national Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System reported that 45.5% of
local lower-income youth aged 5-20 were overweight or obese in 2009.4
As indicated, obesity is a contributing factor to several leading causes of death and disease. In 2008,
heart disease was the leading cause of death in Santa Barbara County, stroke was the second leading
cause of death, and Type 2 diabetes was the 8th leading cause of death.5 In 2009, 5.6% of County adults
reported they had been diagnosed with diabetes.1 Latinos had a 3.44 times greater age-adjusted death
rate due to diabetes than Whites in 2008.5
Eating Behavior
Low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and excessive consumption of high calorie foods have
contributed to obesity and related health problems among youth and adults. In 2009, 51.5% of local
children age 2-11 ate the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and only
16.9% of teens age 12-17 ate the recommended serving levels.1 In 2009, 28.6% of teens drank two or
more glasses of soda or other sugary drinks the preceding day, compared to 27.3% of teens in the state.
Additionally, 64.8% of local children ate fast food one or more times per week, and 83.5% of teens ate
fast food at least once per week in 2009.
Physical Activity
Lower than recommended levels of physical activity also contribute to obesity and related health
problems. In 2009, 71.7% of local children reported engaging in vigorous activity three or more days per
week.1 The rate of local children who were active for at least one hour every day was 38.7%, with 11.7%
of children being completely sedentary. Only 23.2% of teens reported engaging in vigorous activity
three or more days per week, compared to 35.3% of teens statewide in 2007. Further, in 2009 only
40.8% of local children and teens who could walk or bike to school within half an hour actually walked or
biked to school, compared to 50.5% of children and teens in the state.
Food Environment
Environmental factors such as access to healthy foods and exercise opportunities significantly contribute
to overweight and obesity. Santa Barbara County had three times as many fast food restaurants as
supermarkets and produce vendors in 2007.6 Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are generally
more expensive than processed foods high in fat and sugar. Between 1985-2000 the cost of fresh fruits
and vegetables increased nearly 40%, while the cost of fats, oils, sweeteners, and soda decreased by as
much as 20%.7 Santa Barbara County has the 11th highest rate of food insecurity in the state, indicating
that many local families are having difficulty providing sufficient food for all family members.8 When
resources for food are limited, people will increase consumption of lower-cost, higher-calorie food when
available.
Current Prevention Efforts and Needs
A variety of obesity prevention and healthy weight promotion programs and coalitions are currently
available in Santa Barbara County (see Appendix A). While many of these are educational programs,
some include policy and environmental change efforts that promote healthy eating and physical activity.
These approaches generally fall into seven types of interventions:
1. Prevention Education (kids, parents, youth serving professionals)
2. School Interventions (food services, PE, health education)
3. Physical Activity Opportunities (after-school sports, youth centers, active technology)
4. Community Planning (walkability, parks, safety, transportation, restaurant & market permits)
5. Food Service Policies (menu labeling, banning unhealthy ingredients)
6. Media Outreach (public service announcements,
7. Medical Treatment (medical and behavioral interventions)
While many of the existing programs are effectively addressing obesity prevention and treatment,
because of funding and resource limitations, they generally serve limited numbers of people, usually in
specific geographic, age or other groups, leaving many people un- or underserved. Needs assessment
activities were recently undertaken to identify specific gaps in services and population and service
priorities.
Focus Group Findings
In late 2010, focus groups with approximately 100 lower-income parents in Santa Barbara County reveal
key barriers and supports to healthy eating and physical activity (see Appendix B). Key challenges to
healthy eating and exercise include insufficient time for working parents, lack of knowledge about
healthy cooking, limited funds for healthy groceries, and unsafe neighborhoods that limit physical
activities. Conditions and actions that support healthy eating and exercise include easier access to lowcost fruits and vegetables, limiting fast and junk foods, learning how to prepare healthy meals that
appeal to children, limiting screen time, and making time for walking, sports, and other physical
activities.
Health Professional Priorities
In October, 2010, 28 local health professionals completed surveys about obesity prevention priorities
and methods. As shown in Appendix C, the professionals identified parents and children in lower-
income neighborhoods throughout Santa Barbara County as the highest priority groups for healthy
weight promotion activities. A combination of school-based interventions, educational and fitness
programs, media campaigns, and environmental and policy changes were recommended as the
preferred intervention strategies.
Goals for Healthy Weight Promotion in Santa Barbara County
The ultimate goal of obesity prevention efforts is to increase the number of people with healthy weight,
and to concomitantly reduce the number of people who suffer from obesity-related health problems
such as diabetes and heart disease. Specific target behaviors that will lead to the achievement of these
goals include:
 Increasing breastfeeding
 Increasing consumption of F&V and whole grains
 Reducing caloric intake, especially consumption of foods and drinks high fat and/or sugar
 Increasing physical activity
 Reducing sedentary and screen time
Healthy Weight Promotion Strategies
A comprehensive, multi-dimensional, long-term approach is needed to promote health weight among
the residents of Santa Barbara County. A combination of education and personal change strategies and
policy and environmental design approaches is most likely to be effective in promoting the healthy
eating and physical activities associate with maintaining a healthy weight. The concept of ‘Health in All
Policies’ will need to be operationalized and applied in multiple settings.
The following objectives and strategies have been identified to promote healthy eating and physical
activity among the people of Santa Barbara County.
Healthy Eating Promotion Strategies
A primary objective is to increase access to, promotion, and consumption of healthy foods and drinks,
and reduce access to, promotion, and consumption of less healthy foods and drinks. Related strategies
include:
1.1 Encourage and support breastfeeding, including providing breastfeeding opportunities in
employment and other sites.
1.2 Medical providers monitor patient weight, and prescribe and support healthy eating with
cookbooks, referrals, and follow-up.
1.3 Provide healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and drinks (e.g., water, non-fat milk, limited
fruit juice) in schools, pre-schools, after-school & youth service programs, employment, and other
settings, served at meal times, as snacks, and at events. Limit or do not offer unhealthy food and drinks
high in sugar and fat in such settings.
1.4 Train child care, youth service and other food service providers in healthy meal preparation.
1.5 Eliminate or limit unhealthy food and drink advertisements in and around schools and other youthserving sites.
1.6 Support school and community gardens.
1.7 Ensure that water is available in all school, employment, and other settings and in vending
machines. Provide or have students, employees, and others use refillable water bottles or cups.
1.8 Remove vending machines. If vending machines are deemed necessary, limit offerings to healthy
food and drinks.
1.9 Do not use food as a reward. Use non-food rewards, such as recognition or extra recess or time off.
If foods are used as a reward, use only healthy foods.
1.10 Do not sell unhealthy foods like candy as fundraisers. Use fundraising strategies other than food
sales, such as selling wrapping paper, car washes, or sell only healthy foods.
1.11 Provide education on healthy food shopping, selection, preparation & portion size, including
demos, tasting & practice.
1.12 Encourage corner markets, convenience stores, and street vendors to offer healthy food and
drinks.
1.13 Promote distribution and procurement of locally produced foods locally.
1.14 Promote development of healthy food outlets (supermarkets, produce vendors, farmers markets)
in needed areas.
1.15 Discourage development of new fast food restaurants, convenience stores & unhealthy street
vendors.
1.16 Encourage all restaurants to provide calorie and nutrition information.
1.17 Develop a healthy restaurant rating system to encourage healthy food and drink options.
1.18 Institute smaller portion sizes in public service venues.
1.19 Discourage the use of trans-fats in food preparation.
1.20 Encourage food outlets such as grocery stores and convenience stores to place unhealthy foods in
less child-focused, lower areas.
1.21 Develop culturally tailored media campaigns and messaging to promote:
 Breastfeeding
 Smaller portions
 Healthy drinks
 Fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Physical Activity Promotion Strategies
Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time is the other major objective for promoting
healthy weight among the citizens of Santa Barbara County. Related strategies include:
2.1 Provide PE or other sustained physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day in public schools at all
grade levels.
2.2 Include physical activities in after school and other youth service settings.
2.3 Integrate physical activity into work and other settings, with scheduled stretch or walking breaks,
standing work stations, walking meetings, etc.
2.4 Provide schools, employers, and other groups information on the health, cognitive, productivity,
economic, and other benefits of exercise in relation to thinking and productivity.
2.5 Train teachers, youth service providers, employers, and others how to integrate physical activities
into school, program and work environments.
2.6 Develop free or low-cost neighborhood walking and sports groups accessible to all ages.
2.7 Promote extracurricular physical activity in work settings with activities like work-sponsored sports
teams, walking challenges, on-site aerobics classes, etc.
2.8 Promote stair use in all applicable settings.
2.9 Medical providers monitor patient weight, and prescribe and support regular physical activity with
exercise regimens, referrals, and follow-up.
2.10 Municipal planners plan walkable & bikeable neighborhoods with more parks & recreation areas.
2.11 Zone for mixed-use development.
2.12 Locate housing near schools & work sites.
2.13 Create joint use agreements with schools, colleges, and other places to allow off hours access to
recreation areas.
2.14 Provide safe neighborhoods with adequate lighting & policing.
2.15 Cities/county maintain sidewalks and bike and walking paths.
2.16 Provide bike racks at work sites, community centers and other high use areas.
2.17 Provide convenient, low-cost public transportation.
2.18 Employers provide incentives for employee physical activity, such as covering gym membership
fees
2.19 Develop culturally tailored media campaigns and messaging to promote physical activity and
reduce sedentary time. For example, focus on appearance and social benefits for younger audiences,
focus on health and economic benefits for older audiences.
Implementation and Evaluation
In order to implement the proposed obesity prevention strategies, the cooperation of numerous
individuals, organizations, and community groups will be required.
A countywide planning group will be needed to coordinate and monitor the implementation process.
The planning group will prioritize the objectives and strategies listed above, and track progress made on
implementation of specific strategies and related outcomes. Action plans and timelines will be
developed for selected strategies.
Some existing services will need to be expanded, and new services will need to be developed. Policy
and environmental changes will be necessary in school, government, business, and other community
settings. Champions will be needed to promote policy and programmatic changes in each of these
settings.
With a long-term, comprehensive effort, we can increase the number of residents with a healthy weight,
and reduce obesity and related health problems, making Santa Barbara one of the healthiest
communities in the US.
References
1. California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), UCLA, 2011
2. Health Linkages Program, Santa Barbara County Education Office, 2011
3. Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program, Santa Barbara County, 2011
4. Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, 2009
5. Death Statistics Master File, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, 2008
6. California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 2009
7. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), 2002
8. California Food Policy Advocates, 2010
APPENDIX A
CURRENT OBESITY PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
12/2010
Several obesity prevention and treatment programs in Santa Barbara County are listed below. The list is not
exhaustive and program information may change over time.
Agencies/Organizations
CenCal Health
“Live Better, Make a Change” is a childhood obesity prevention/treatment program targeting children ages 3-16
who have a BMI in the 95th percentile. Enrollment is based on diagnosis code submitted by child’s doctor
participating in Healthy Families and Healthy Kids. Follow-up provided in the form of telephone calls, educational
packets and referrals to a registered dietitian. Program is similar to the CHDP follow-up program.
Contact: Suzanne Michaud, (805) 562-1662, smichaud@cencalhealth.org
http://www.cencalhealth.org/
Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens
Fairview Gardens Center for Urban Agriculture in Goleta invites people to our organic farm to recognize their
connection to food and how it is grown. Our school-to-farm program is for teachers to bring their students to the
farm for hands-on guided tours. While on the farm, students learn about the science of farming, healthy eating,
and taste new foods. We also offer guided tours to the public and host workshops, classes, and other events.
Contact: (805) 967-7369, info@fairviewgardens.org
http://www.fairviewgardens.org/
Community Action Commission/Children’s Services/Head Start
This program serves children ages 0-5. Growth and nutrition assessments are provided with screening for BMI in
the 95th percentile. Parents obtain nutrition information and guidance from the child’s physician or a referral is
provided to a R.D. The implementation of a national curriculum to specifically combat childhood obesity is in
progress. It will target head start teachers, children and parents. Over 100 teachers will be trained in a
curriculum entitled, “I am Moving I am Learning.”
Contacts: Walker Dearth, (805) 964-8857 x151, walker@cacsb.com
http://www.cacsb.com/programs/children-services.php
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
Diabetes Resource Center of Santa Barbara County
The center aims to reduce the alarming increase in Type 2 Diabetes and other obesity related diseases in children
and their families by promoting healthy behavior for an improved quality of life. It presently reaches more than
400 children and their families. Programs include sports, dance, organic vegetable gardening, food preparation,
healthy eating habits at school and home, and health and well being courses for the family.
Contact: (805) 687-5586, info@sbdrc.org
http://www.sbdrc.org/
First 5 Early Care & Education Division
Works with community partners to provide programming in several areas including school readiness, which
involves health and other issues to prepare children for kindergarten.
Contact: Haydee McAmis, (805) 560-1037, hmcamis@countyofsb.org
http://www.first5santabarbaracounty.org/
Foodbank Santa Barbara County
Outreach includes nutrition education and Cal Fresh (formerly SNAP) participation. The Foodbank currently
coordinates Kids’ Farmer’s Markets at 12 sites throughout the county.
Contact: Amy Lopez, Outreach Coordinator, (805) 967-5741 x115, alopez@foodbanksbc.org
http://www.foodbanksbc.org/
Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization
LVCHC is a community health care system serving the Lompoc Valley. They do not provide direct services but
facilitate, assist, convene and educate. The “Healthy Kids Initiative” task force has been active in the prevention
of childhood obesity in the following areas: SPARK training (Sports Play Active Recreation for Kids) for teachers
and at after school programs at the YMCA & Boys & Girls Club, Implementing the School District Wellness Policy,
creating “Playable Parks” and presently is focused on evaluating the barriers to prevention of obesity in their
community through the venue of focus groups within their task force.
Contact: Judy Taggart, (805) 737-5787, taggartj@lvcho.org
http://www.lvcho.org/
Santa Barbara County Education Office/Health Linkages Program
Provides health and safety support services to the early care and education community throughout the county.
Health advocates work with state preschools, Cal-SAFE programs, school readiness initiatives, and Family Child
Care Homes to provide education to parents, teachers, and staff, support to students with health screenings, and
follow-up to help families access health and social services. Dental screenings and treatment are also provided.
Contact: Georgene Lowe, (805) 964-4710 x4455, glowe@sbceo.org
Coalitions and Collaboratives
Children’s Health Initiative of Santa Barbara
This initiative supports ensuring that children have access to health services through enrollment in Healthy Kids,
Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. These insurance programs are the entry way for many children to access screening
and referral for childhood obesity.
Contact: Tara Dooley, Program Manager, (805) 964-4710 x4460, tdoooley@sbceo.org
Coalition for Community Wellness
The vision of this coalition is to help policy makers understand the health impacts of their decisions leading to
lower rates of injury, obesity, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma. This
group is assisting the Santa Barbara City long-range planning process to include health as a policy driver.
Contact: Dana Goba, Community Health Coordinator, (805) 879-8992, dgoba@sbch.org
COAST (Coalition for Sustainable Transportation)
Provides advocacy, education and outreach to improve transportation options in the Santa Barbara Region. Safe
Routes to School (SR2S) focuses on traffic problems associated with access to schools, and promotes walking and
biking to school through education and incentives.
Contact: (805) 875-3562, info@coast-santabarbara.org
http://coast-santabarbara.org/
Gold Coast Collaborative
This collaborative represents San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties as a regional effort to address
childhood obesity. The goal of the collaborative is to promote policies that will improve environmental factors to
reverse the trend of overweight children. It operates several social marketing campaigns and programs designed
to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity levels among low-income families, including
Chilren’s PowerPlay! Campaign, Latino Campaign, African American Campaign, Retail Program and Worksite
Program.
Contacts:
Alicia Villicana, (805) 677-5254, alicia.villicana@ventura.org
JoAnn Torres, (805) 677-5267, joann.torres@ventura.org
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CPNS/
Partners for Fit Youth
A collaborative of county organizations working together to improve the health of youth and families in response
to the growing concern about the epidemic of childhood obesity in SB County. The collaborative is presently
focused on increasing physical activity among youth, expanding healthy food choices in youth environments and
using media campaign to promote healthy choices.
Contact: Susan Horne, (805) 681-4757, susan.horne@sbcphd.org
s’Cool Food Initiative
The mission of this Orfalea Foundation initiative is to empower school districts in Santa Barbara County to
implement and sustain nourishing cook-from-scratch food programs. Projects include Jr. Chef Days, Food Play
theatrical production, s’Cool Gardens, and Student of the Month.
Contact: Melissa Bishop, (805) 565-7550 x111, melissa@orfalea.org
http://www.scoolfood.org/
Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
A California advocacy and resource organization that promotes bicycling for safe transportation and recreation in
Santa Barbara County.
Contact: Christine Bourgeois, cbarreb@gmail.com
http://www.sbbike.org/index.html
Governmental and Non-Profit Resources
Dairy Council of California
Provides free nutrition materials to teachers and health professionals.
Contact: (877) 324-7901, http://www.dairycouncilofca.org/HealthProfessionals/ClientPrograms/
Marian Medical Center Community Education
Offers several nutrition education opportunities to the Santa Maria area in both English and Spanish. Smart Eating
for Kids and Teens is a monthly interactive class taught by a registered dietician. Rethink Your Drink is a program
designed to educate about healthy beverage choices and is offered periodically. Healthy For Life is a nutrition
lecture series open to families that includes nutrition and physical activity topics, as well as a food demonstration
and snacks. Healthy Living Your Life Take Care is a self-management course. In addition cooking demonstrations
are periodically offered throughout local communities.
Contact: Naomi Leyva, (805) 739-3578, naomi.leyva@chw.edu
https://www.marianmedicalcenter.org/Classes_And_Events/
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute
The institute collaborates with Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics to provide free nutrition and diabetes classes
and workshops to the community.
Contact: (805) 682-7638, info@sansum.org
Sansum Health Resource Center
This is a staffed center providing answers to health related questions. It is open to the community and free of
charge. The center offers assistance in finding health information and has Internet access, books, health
newsletters, educational CDs and DVDs, and community resources.
Contact: (805) 681-7672, sansumclinic.org
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
Network for a Healthy California
The network represents a social marketing initiative towards obesity prevention with its primary focus being to
increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Services include the school-based Harvest of the Month program
and the Communities of Excellence project, which assesses the nutrition environment of low-income
neighborhoods in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara and assists in identifying and promoting opportunities for
obesity prevention.
Contacts:
North County - Fidel Villanueva, (805) 346-7372, fidel.villanueva@sbcphd.org
South County - Susan Horne, (805) 681-4757, susan.horne@sbcphd.org
http://www.countyofsb.org/phd/healthycal.aspx
WIC (Women Infants and Children)
WIC provides individual and group nutrition education for low-income children from birth to five years of age. The
nutrition education and individual counseling support healthy eating and physical activity aimed at maintaining
healthy weight in children. All infants and children have growth assessments and those identified as at risk for
obesity receive individual counseling to address this issue. In addition WIC promotes and educates mothers on
breast feeding which is well established as an obesity prevention behavior. The Healthy for Life California
Campaign includes employee wellness, staff training, and coordination of healthy lifestyle messages with retailers,
healthcare and daycare providers and other community agencies. This effort is to support the new food package
which will include fresh fruits and vegetables.
Contact: Caro Stinson, Director of Nutrition Services, (805) 681-5279
APPENDIX B
FOCUS GROUP RESPONSE SUMMARY
Santa Barbara County Education Office Health Linkages Program
and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
January, 2011
The results below are summarized from eight focus groups held in October and November, 2010. Health Linkages
conducted seven of the groups, six with parents of Santa Barbara School District Child Development Programs,
and one with parents of Lompoc preschoolers. An additional focus group was conducted with the Isla Vista Youth
Projects at the annual Isla Vista Turkey Drive. The numbers in parentheses (#) indicate the number of groups in
which the same comment was mentioned.
1) What do you or your family do to maintain a healthy weight?
Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Eat more fruits and vegetables (8)
Walk (3)
Limit fast food (e.g. McDonald’s) (5)
Exercise (2)
Drink water (5)
Go to parks (2)
Try to eat healthier (4)
Stay active
Control portion sizes (2)
Walk to school
Limit junk food (2)
Group walking
Limit grease
Play sports
Limit sugar
Run
Prepare healthy meals
Dance
Try to eat homemade foods
Put on music and dance
Grow our own garden
Skateboard
Choose healthy meats (e.g. white over red)
Ride bikes
Dilute fruit juice
Play for one hour each day
Shop at Trader Joe’s
Send kids outside to play
Diet
Limit TV
Try different food combinations
No TV on school nights
Form good eating habits
Limit video games
Education
Limit screen time
Awareness of what we eat
Play Nintendo Wii
Don’t eat late
2) What makes it difficult to do these things?
Not enough time (7)
Don’t know how to cook healthy foods/meals (4)
Dedication and discipline required (4)
Work schedules (3)
Don’t know about serving/portion sizes (3)
Parents afraid to let kids got outside to play (3)
No money for groceries (2)
Difficult to plan ahead for cooking (2)
Kids complain (2)
No space for gardening
High prices of healthy food
Easier to buy unhealthy foods
Don’t know how to get kids into sports
Sharing kitchen facilities
Limited utilities (gas, electric)
Don’t know about different oils and fats
Bad habits
Children like fast food and it’s easy
Lack of exercise
Lack of sleep and tiredness
Stress
Hygiene
Environment
TV keeps kids occupied
TV keeps the peace
Schools don’t serve healthy food
School regulations (e.g. only can bring prepackaged food to classrooms)
3) What would help you or your family eat
4) What would help you or your family get more
healthier foods?
physical activity?
More accessible fruits and vegetables (3)
Going for walks (e.g. zoo, beach) (6)
Limiting junk food (3)
More time playing sports (4)
Limiting fast food (2)
Limiting TV (4)
Limiting eating out (2)
Make exercise a habit (3)
More time for cooking meals and eating (2)
Going to parks (3)
Learning how to prepare healthy meals (2)
More knowledge about community resources (2)
Disguising healthy food (e.g. sauces, peanut butter) (2)
Motivation (2)
Being creative (2)
Organization
Healthier snack options
Dancing and music while cooking
Taking children shopping and giving them choices
Use dancing and singing
Have children help in the kitchen
Painting
More information on how to cook with vegetables
Use the stairs
Knowing how to substitute in healthy options
Park far away from entrances
Cooking at home
Play with children
Having family meals
Signing up kids for sports
Eating a variety of foods
Riding bikes
Eating homemade foods
Running
Eating more colorful foods
Limiting evening eating (e.g. after 7pm)
Cook at home
Workshops
Knowing about portion sizes
Recreational clubs
Know how to choose healthy foods
Going to the doctor
Don’t buy juice or soda
Access to a gym
Pack lunches for school/work
Wash fruits and vegetables
Parents being good examples to children
Find what fruits and vegetables kids like
Setting good examples by eating well
Not grocery shopping while hungry
Going to farmer’s market
WIC
Buying healthy foods
Cooking healthy foods
Food awareness
Reading labels
Motivation
Comments From Parents
“Sometimes it is very hard to make a meal that my children would like. They like fast food or candy.”
“I give my children different kinds of fruits and vegetables.”
“My family and I like to grow our own vegetables when we can.”
“It’s very hard to coordinate the time with work and homework.”
“It’s very easy to pick up a bad eating habit.”
“My children go to Franklin school and they have good information about eating healthy food.”
“I feed my children good and healthy meals.”
“It is very hard for parents – we work and it is hard to cook a healthy meal.”
“I don’t have the time and energy after work.”
“My children prefer TV.”
“My children are super active and like to play sports.”
“My children like to be outside and ride their bicycles.”
“I don’t have time, I get home late from work.”
“We go to the parks every chance we get.”
APPENDIX C
OBESITY PREVENTION SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
October 20, 2010
28 health promotion professionals identified the following communities, groups, and interventions as high priority
for obesity prevention in Santa Barbara County. The cities, groups, and interventions are listed in order of
priority, and the number in parentheses (#) indicates the number of professionals who identified the item as a
high priority.
Cities/Neighborhoods
Santa Maria (13)
Newlove (2)
Northwest (2)
Tanglewood (1)
Lompoc (9)
Downtown (1)
Santa Barbara (8)
Westside (5)
Eastside (2)
Carpinteria (6)
Guadalupe(6)
Goleta (5)
N. Hollister (1)
Downtown (1)
Countywide (4)
Isla Vista (4)
Santa Ynez (2)
Cuyama (1)
Target Groups
People with Lower Incomes (28)
Latino/Hispanic People (25)
Families (17)
Parents (16)
Head Start Parents (13)
Elementary Schools (15)
Franklin (2)
Cleveland (2)
Isla Vista (1)
Aliso (1)
McKinley (1)
Monroe (1)
Washington (1)
Harding (1)
La Patera (1)
Cuyama (1)
White/Caucasian (14)
African American (13)
Low SES/Language-Culture Needs (13)
Pre-School/Head Start Children (13)
Children (7)
Disabled/Special Needs Children (2)
Teachers (2)
Teens (2)
Mixtecos (2)
Women (2)
Child Bearing Age (1)
Teen Mothers (1)
Infants & Toddlers (2)
Grandparents & Foster Parents (1)
Middle Schools (1)
Politicians and Business Leaders (1)
Clinic Patients (1)
Cities/Neighborhoods
Lompoc
Old Town
Target Groups
Community wide, focus on
Hispanic families
Santa Barbara
Lower Westside
Community members,
focus on new immigrants
Interventions
School Programs (29)
Health/Physical Education (11)
After School Activities (9)
Food Improvement (8)
Workshops/Classes (23)
Nutrition (12)
Cooking (8)
Re-Think Your Drink (3)
Policy (21)
Soda Fee (3)
Nutrition Labeling (2)
Exercise Programs (16)
Walking (5)
Media Campaigns (16)
Parent Meetings/Education (14)
Access to Healthy Foods (13)
Neighborhood Safety (13)
Open Spaces (7)
Trails (3)
Collaboration (10)
Curricula (10)
I Am Moving (6)
CACFP (3)
Other Education (10)
Referrals (6)
Access to Clinics/Professionals (6)
Awareness/Identifying Issues (5)
Promotores (4)
Screenings (4)
Wellness Policies (3)
Site Specific Interventions
Walking group, walking/biking festival with street closure
in old town, nutrition night cooking & discussion groups,
facilitation of interconnected bike/walk trails
Collaborate with CAC Coronel to have public health
programs available at the Lower Westside Community
Center
Santa Barbara
Franklin Elementary School
Santa Maria
Low Income, Latino
Existing Programs To Expand
Workshops/Classes (16)
Re-Think Your Drink (4)
Parent Meetings/Education (7)
Non-Working Hours (3)
Workplace (1)
School Programs (7)
After School Activities (3)
s’Cool Foods (2)
Physical Education (1)
WIC Services (5)
Nutrition Classes (2)
Access to Healthy Foods (5)
Neighborhood Gardens, Co-Ops (1)
Exercise Programs (5)
Walking Clubs (2)
Foodbank Programs (3)
Youth Organization Programs (3)
Promotores (3)
Network for a Healthy CA (2)
Health Linkages Program (2)
SBNC (2), DRC (2), CX3 (2), Education (2)
CenCal Health (1), SDRI (1), Healthy Start (1) Home
Visits (1), Oral Health Programs (1)
Case Management (1)
Childhood Obesity Summit (1)
Increase Range/Locations (1)
Latino 5 A Day (1)
Champions for Change (1)
Sansum Clinic Services (1)
Nutrition/Cooking classes for parents (Franklin Center has
new commercial kitchen perhaps partner with CC
Culinary program)
Expand existing programs through Marian Medical
Center, Fidel, etc.
Ways the Public Health Department Can Help
Provide Leadership (12)
Policies (4)
Funding and Grants (2)
Promote Collaboration (8)
Foodbank, Food Policy Council, City Councils,
Community Health Improvement Coalition, PFY,
Parks and Recreation, Board of Supervisors,
Local Community Organizations, City Planning
Provide Resources (7)
County Calendar, Directory of Presenters/Speakers,
Directory of Promotores, Obesity Resources
Encourage School Programs (7)
Physical Education (3)
Menu Improvement (2)
After School Activities (2)
Health Education in Curriculum (1)
Media Campaigns (6)
Workshops/Classes (5)
Parent Meetings/Education (5)
Cultural Relevancy Efforts (5)
Latino Practitioners (1)
Staff Training (1)
Adopt Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Process (1)
Adopt Tobacco Model (1)
Other Comments
1. Many families state that they believe their children are healthier when they are heavier and not “skinny.”
Families are not concerned. This is a historical and cultural aspect for many Head Start families. This must be
respected and incorporated into prevention, education and interventions.
2. When a referral is made to a nutritionist the families often state they are not interested or are receiving
services through WIC and don’t need another referral.
3. Food Insecurity and Injustice: the same people who tend and harvest our food supply often do not have
adequate access to fresh fruit and vegetables or enough food to meet daily needs. Many of our parents selfreport on our Health History that they run out of food once or several times per month.
4. According to family declaration parents buy soda instead of milk because the soda is cheaper. Monetary
income often dictates the food provided for their families.
5. Head Start also working to form a collaborative action plan
6. Carpinteria Collaborative has a specific plan to address obesity in young children
7. La Cumbre Junior High should be used as a model for other schools