Research & Development

WIN the Rockies conducted both education and research activities at the individual and community level. Both research efforts and intervention efforts were based on the project’s goals and objectives.

Click here to view Goals and Objectives.

Click here to view the WIN the Rockies - Winning Formula (1,080 KB)

Preliminary results from the research efforts helped to guide the intervention efforts. Community research efforts were based on comparing a demonstrator community to a comparator community in each of the participating states (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming).

1) Cross-sectional survey - A written survey was developed to assess attitudes and behaviors in the areas of eating, physical activity and body image. After pilot-testing, the survey was mailed to approximately 500 randomly-selected households in the demonstrator and comparator communities (6 communities). The individual in the household over the age of 18 with the most recent birthday was asked to complete the survey. Paid advertisements announcing the mailing of the survey were placed in local newspapers and aired on local radio stations. Local youth groups were recruited to distribute promotional posters throughout the community. Follow-up reminder post cards were mailed to households receiving the survey, and phone calls were made to encourage return of the surveys. Copies of the survey were also available in Spanish.

Surveys were distributed and collected by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. Results of survey were analyzed by researchers at Montana State University.

The same survey was randomly sent in September of 2003 to households in the 6 communities at the conclusion of the 2-year intervention efforts in the demonstrator communities.

2) Adult Cohorts - 50 adults were selected from the demonstrator and comparator communities to complete in-depth assessments over a 2-year period. Cohorts were drawn from the random survey sample described in #1 above. Individuals who received the surveys were asked to return a post card to indicate their interest in becoming an adult cohort in the 2-year research project.

Adult cohort assessments were conducted three times (January 2002, January 2003 and January 2004). Assessments consisted of:

• Blood analyses - cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin

• Anthropometric measures - height, weight, BMI

• Cardiovascular measures - heart rate and distance on a 6-minute walk test

• Written surveys:

  • Survey of Eating Attitudes and Behaviors

  • Adult Physical Activity Questionnaire (includes the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire - used by permission)

  • Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ - used by permission, Thomas F. Cash, Old Dominion University)

  • Food Frequency Questionnaire (adapted from Harvard University Food Frequency Questionnaire, 1991)

  • Body-size attitude assessment tool - timed activity

  • Demographic sheet

3) Youth assessments - Youth assessments were conducted with intact classrooms. A minimum of 40 youth completed assessments in each of the 6 communities (3 demonstrator communities, and 3 comparator communities). A total of 4 student assessments were conducted (5^th grade students in fall 2001, 5^th grade students in late spring 2002, 6^th grade students in fall 2002, 6^th grade students in late spring 2003). Assessments consisted of:

• Height & weight, and percentiles on CDC growth charts
• Time on 1-mile run/walk
• Written survey to assess attitudes and behaviors toward eating, physical activity, and body image

4) Narrative Research - Narrative research was conducted in the 3 demonstrator communities in the spring of 2002 using a team of researchers from all 3 states. The narrative research component gathered stories from individuals related to eating, physical activity and body image. Narrative research in each community included:

• Conducted 1 male and 1 female focus group (6-10 individuals)
• Conducted one-on-one interviews with approximately 20 individuals (10 female and 10 male)

Quotations on Body Image (190 KB )

Quotations from Combined Areas (109 KB )

Quotations on Food and Eating (133 KB )

Quotations on Physical Activity (159 KB )

Let Their Voices Be Heard (426 KB )
Holmes B, Pelican S, Vanden Heede F. Let Their Voices Be Heard - Quotations from life stories related to physical activity, food and eating, and body image. Discovery Association Publishing House. Chicago, IL. 2005. ISBN 1-931967-07-5

 

Project Highlights

Preston, ID

Lewistown, MT

Powell, WY

Torrington, WY

Tri-State Highlight

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WIN the Rockies: University of Wyoming ~ Montana State University ~ University of Idaho