A guide for developing intervention tools addressing environmental factors to improve diet and physical activity

Low-income populations have an elevated risk of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Environmental factors influence health behaviors that contribute to obesity. Although low-income neighborhoods may pose barriers to healthy behaviors, they may also have health-promoting environmental features (e.g., produce stands, walking trails). Thus, a potentially effective intervention strategy is to help individuals identify and overcome neighborhood barriers by making use of community resources that support a healthy diet and physical activity. The authors describe the formative research process undertaken to develop two community-focused intervention tools to complement a clinic-based cardiovascular disease risk-reduction program for underserved women. Literature review, community exploration, and examination of Internet and print resources contributed to development of a neighborhood assessment with tip sheets and a community resource guide. These tools were finalized using community members' feedback. This formative process can serve as a guide for other health promotion programs to create and use similar tools.