Queensland smart choices program

Queensland Smart Choices

Over the last several years, the obesity rate in Australia has been rising dramatically. Where, the total number of: children and adults being affected by the condition have risen to epidemic levels. Evidence of this can be seen by looking at figures from the Sentinel Site for Obesity Prevention in Victoria Study, which found that the number of overweight children accounted for 26.7% of the population. Not included in this number were children that are considered to be obese. These are individuals with a body mass index higher than 30, which accounted for 7.6% of children. At the same time, the obesity rate in adults is skyrocketing. As the total number of overweight adults is accounting for 32.6% of the population, while the obesity rate was 16.4% or 49.0% of the total adult demographic. (Biggs 2006) This is significant, because it shows how the obesity epidemic is becoming of such large proportions; that is it is beginning to have an impact upon the commonwealth. A good example of this, is the overall amounts of lost productivity that occur due to high levels of obesity, as the economic losses in productivity account for $25 billion a year. (Obesity Costing Australia Billions 2008) To address these challenges programs such as Smart Choices have been implemented by various governments. This is a comprehensive program that is focused addressing the obesity epidemic, by working with communities and schools to promote a healthy lifestyle (mainly through changing the nutritional needs and encouraging everyone to be physically active). (Smart Choices 2010) As a public health nutritionist with a large indigenous population, implementation of this program at the community's primary and high schools will require adjusting it to fit cultural demographics. To determine how to implement such a program requires: examining the process that will be used to influence schools, strategies that can be utilized to increase support for the program and how it would be evaluated once it has been implemented. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights, as to how the Smart Choices program can be employed in a variety of communities around the commonwealth.

The processes you would use to influence local school policies to address the priorities in Smart Choices.

Given the fact that these schools are located in areas, where the indigenous population is high, means that the location is either in a rural or an urban setting such as a ghetto. The reason why, is because many Aborigines were forbidden from participating in any kind of social programs until the 1960's. Then, the sudden shift to include many Aborigines in social programs would create a poverty trap. Where, the underlying levels of health were worse, because this group of the population did not have any means of upward economic mobility. This has created vast inequalities within Australian society, as the Aborigines will have higher obesity rates and other related health problems. (Chchanski 2002) Evidence of this can be found in data provided by Australian Bureau of Statistics, which found that 62% of men and 58% of women were either obese / overweight. When you compare these numbers to the rest of Australia, Aborigines have higher levels being overweight or obese. (Bell 2008) Part of the reason for this, is because this group of the population has a lower standard of living. This means, that they will not have access to proper health and nutrition information. At the same time, the overall economic situation will cause an increasing number of people to consume unhealthy foods. This is problematic, because it means that in order for any kind of program to be effective requires: having the community, government and nonprofit organizations work together in addressing the underlying challenges of the problem. As a result, any of the approaches that are being utilized must take these factors into account.

To influence the process, you would need to provide a reason why the community and the different ethnic groups should embrace the new program. This is because, many natives in the past have attempted to address the problem, yet only provide empty slogans that do not help to mitigate the underlying effects. Evidence of this can be seen by looking at a review that was conducted by the Productivity Commission, which found that of 27 different healthy lifestyle programs they examined. Only a hand full made any kind of difference, in creating changes in individual habits, leading to shift in lifestyle. While the majority of programs, were shown to statistically insignificant. (Anti Obesity Programs Miss the Mark 2010) This is important, because it shows how the various initiatives, to address the underlying situation are not making any kind of difference. As a result, the way that these programs are implemented and how they are focused, must be changed in order to help the individual see that this is a priority.

To influence local schools and policies you must begin discussing what: community leaders, school officials as well as parents see are the main causes of the problem. This would allow us to be able to take the Smart Choices program and then customize it for specific aspects of the community. At the same time, various activities and events can be planned, to help encourage physical activity as well as promote healthy living. This means, openly discussing the various issues that could be hindering the individuals from following these guidelines. This is important, because you are establishing a dialogue with community, about the possible challenges of implementing these kinds of policies and seeking out creative solutions. When you put these elements together, this will help you to improve the effectiveness of the program by opening a constructive dialogue. At which point, you can begin to identify possible community leaders and allies, who could be helpful in implementing an effective program. Over the course of time, this would allow us to address school policies in a supportive manner and emphasize the general priorities outlined in Smart Choices. This will increase the effectiveness of the program, through taking specific cultural and community factors into consideration. At which point, it can begin to have an impact on addressing the obesity rates, faced in host of communities throughout the commonwealth.

The ways in which you would get support from the school community and the local community in general, identifying potential barriers and enablers that may exist.

The biggest issue that is going to be affecting the program is encouraging the Aboriginal community to become actively involved. The reason why, is because many people do not have the economic means to do so. As these programs provide good information about how you can improve your overall levels of health. Yet, when it comes to following them on a daily basis, this is a completely different issue in itself. The reason why is because, the Aborigines have faced such extreme amounts of persecution in the past, that it has taken a toll on the underlying levels of health. During the 1960's, the government began various programs to address these issues. However, they have proven to be ineffective as the total number of Aborigines, suffering from various health conditions have continued to remain worse in comparison with the rest of society. As a result, many of these individuals are told eat healthier, yet the costs of living this kind of lifestyle is beyond their economic means. (Gracey 2007) This is problematic, because it shows how the government is taking the right approach, but they are not addressing the overall economic issues. In order to overcome the problems that are affecting the community requires, customizing the program so that it will take this factor into account. In many ways, this is the biggest barrier that is affecting the indigenous community, as they want to follow the guidelines that are laid out. Yet, due to various economic reasons they are unable to do so. Over the course of time, this can create a sense of complacency in the community, as people will believe that the program is more of the same. Where, they everyone told them how they should be living healthy lives, but are unable to do so because of economic reasons. Once this takes place, it means that most people will approach various initiatives with a sense of indifference.

The government has a number of different social programs in place to help improve the economic status of Aborigines to include: indigenous payments, programs and specialist services. (Indigenous Australians 2010) This is important, because it highlights how the government is attempting to address the various economic challenges being faced by this community. However, what is more than likely affecting the impact of this program on the Aborigines is the uneven distribution of social services. This is because many rural communities where indigenous people are located; do not have any kind of infrastructure or programs to encourage a change in lifestyle.

When you put these elements together, this shows how various efforts to address this issue are failing. To rectify the problem, requires utilizing an approach that will take the traditions of indigenous people into consideration and how the program could be augmented for them. Given the fact that indigenous culture; is based off of their unique relationship with the land, means that the basic Smart Choices initiatives must take this approach into account. (Indigenous Australian 2009) To implement this kind of a program, means that you would have to reach out leaders in the indigenous community and schools, by discussing with the problem as well as what strategies they believe would help to address the challenges. At which point, these ideas will become a part of the program. This would help to build alliances with key groups in the community and schools, by having advocates who will support the program as well as encourage others to participate. Once this takes place, the challenges of individuals following them will begin to change.

Next, you must offer some kind of economic incentive for people to eat healthier. One way that this could be accomplished is to find local farmers and growers in the areas that could sell the community large amounts of healthy foods in bulk (at a discount). This could be passed on to everyone else, in the form of lower prices, making healthy food choices a viable alternative.

Finally, you would have to have the various allies in the community working together encouraging physical exercise. This would involve constant collaboration and communication about a number of different programs. At first, implementing these new initiatives will be time consuming, as everyone must concentrate on making the actual changes on a consistent basis. However, if everyone can remain committed to the different goals and objectives, then the odds increase that the community will be to see a reduction in the number overweight and obesity related cases. This is significant, because it shows how utilizing such a strategy can have a profound impact upon addressing, the underlying challenges facing many indigenous communities. As various government programs are to general and do not take into account specific factors that could be affecting the community.

In many ways, one could argue that this why the overall economic issues can impact the obesity rate. As many individuals will feel that the government does not take their situation into account, which will create a sense of indifference among members of the community. Once this takes place, it can work similar to a cancer that will eat away at any kind of advances, by shifting the problem around. In the case of the indigenous people, this why the underlying health disparities have shifted from malnutrition to obesity, as government programs are not customized to address specific factors that could be affecting the community. If you can address this issue, then you have the ability to change the actions of the individual, which will have an impact upon the overall success of the Smart Choices program.

When you put these different elements together, this highlights how you must be able to increase the involvement of various community leaders and address specific cultural factors. This is important, because it shows why so many nutrition programs have failed in the past, as they do not take this into account. If you can incorporate these elements into the general strategy, then you will have a tremendous impact upon changing the underlying levels of health in the community.

How you would evaluate your performance in relation to any policy initiatives you develop.

To evaluate any kind of performance in the policy, you would have to take into account the views of the individual and then corroborate them with actual results that are taking place. One way to do this would be, to conduct random surveys at various health clinics. Where, you are asking respondents for their views on the program and what they think could help to make it better. This is important, because understanding how the individual in the community views what is taking place, could have an impact upon the program. Where, it will identify specific factors that could be affecting the overall opinions about the program itself. If you can address these issues, then you have the opportunity of being able to ensure that the program can remain successful, as no one will have negative opinions about the initiatives. In many ways, one could argue that this is the key for successfully implementing Smart Choices in the community, with the opinions of the individual playing a major role, in determining if they will stick with the changes they are making. This is important, because in order for any program to be effective, requires understanding the positive or negative views of the individual, which will have an impact upon its success. If you can address and understand, these different issues; then can be able to have profound impact on mitigating the obesity rates in the community.

At the same time, you would have to corroborate the changes based upon actual figures. In this case, the numbers will more than likely be backward looking (with various government statistics reflecting what has taken place in the past). As a result, some kind of indicator must be created to address this issue, so that we can be able to identify the underlying trends that are taking place early. One way that this can be accomplished is by: creating a survey that will sample select individuals in the community and then compare these results, with the general information provided about health levels throughout the commonwealth. To accomplish this objective, you could have individuals in the community voluntarily having their health information monitored over the course of time. Once you have compiled a number of different surveys, you can begin to determine, the actual affects of what is taking place in the community. To corroborate the results, you would take the general health information from the government and compare it with your findings. At the same time, you could look at the number of new obesity cases that are being reported, in association with the underlying cases of diabetes and heart disease, to determine the effects of program. This is important, because it will provide an effective way of measuring the success of Smart Choices in the area and it will tell you if it is addressing the various cultural issues.