The NH Disability and Public Health Project (DPH) Introduces Obesity Prevention Blogs (IOD NH UCDEDD)

June 25, 2014

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire's Disability and Public Health Project (DPH) has launched a series of interactive campaign targeting youth with disabilities and their families. The campaign includes a series of interactive blogs that are regularly updated with new highlights and information.

In NH and nationwide, people with disabilities are more likely to be obese than people without disabilities. The disparity in obesity rates is greatest among transition age youth, ages 18-24. More children with special health care needs are obese than their peers without those needs. To address these disparities, DPH has researched the evidence base and pulled together resources into two informative, accessible sites.

DPH is currently updating two different blogs - Promoting Healthy Habits and Be Active, Eat Healthy, Have Fun! Promoting Healthy Habits is geared towards parents and caregivers and provides helpful information, modifications, and tips to encourage healthy eating and physical activity with their families. Be Active, Eat Healthy, Have Fun! is designed for the teen through young adult age group.  It features information, media, and links about nutrition and exercise.

"Our blogs are based on patient activation research and deliver information in a culturally appropriate manner," explains Kimberly Phillips, the DPH Project Coordinator. "They encourage individuals to take an active role and accept responsibility for their health and making healthy choices. We help by providing accurate information about health, nutrition, and exercise. We hope our site will engage people and encourage them to set goals and increase confidence in their ability to make lifestyle changes."

For more information about the Disability and Public Health Project visit iod.unh.edu/Projects/dph/. To read the blogs visit iod.unh.edu/Projects/dph/Health-Promotion.aspx.

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to promote full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons by strengthening communities and advancing policy and systems change, promising practices, education, and research.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.