Improving the function of a high obesity program: Findings from community-engaged Mississippi Delta focus groups

ORCID

Baird-Thomas: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1814-5817; Smith: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8999-4758; Buys: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8547-056X

MSU Affiliation

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion; Social Science Research Center

Creation Date

2026-01-29

Abstract

In this policy and practice brief, Mississippi State University Extension Services applies a coalition-driven approach to addressing the prevalence of obesity in communities in the Mississippi Delta through its High Obesity Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Focus groups were conducted with coalition members from six counties to evaluate efforts by this program. The evaluation team used content and thematic analysis to report on coalition activi-ties. Some of the barriers coalition members identified were limited access to healthy foods and the need for more assistance from program staff. Action items were developed and implemented in response to focus group feedback. These items included enhanced communication tools and coalition trainings. This evaluation brief describes some of the common challenges in coalition build-ing and innovative ways to improve them. Our focus group findings are also valuable to public health scientists and practitioners working in rural communities.

Publication Date

9-14-2021

Publication Title

Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development

Publisher

Thomas A. Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems

First Page

123

Last Page

126

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2021.104.012