Health and Recreation for

Rural West Virginia

Residents

Kelly QuinnExtension AgentWVU Extension Service

Lisa SeagraveCommunity CoordinatorHealth Raisers

Presented by:

Tyler County, West Virginia

• Population 9,700

• 234 Farms

• Largest town 1,200

• 2 elementary schools

• 1 middle/high school

• On the Ohio River between Wheeling & Parkersburg

Tyler County, West VirginiaIssues Impacting Health & Wellness

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Cardiovascular-related illness

• Few recreational resources, facilities and programs

• Economically distressed

Health Raisers

The “Health Raisers” is a non-profit organization which was formed by community members to promote health and physical activity programs in the county.

The Health Raisers strive to encourage Community members to be more physically active and eat healthier.

Preliminary Research

• Research began in 2003

• Focus groups of various ages participated– Including high school students, working adults

and senior citizens

• Verbal street surveys conducted

Educational Programs Introduced

• Diabetic Education

• Pro and Cons of Low Carb Diets

• Curves and Weight Watchers

• Diabetes Health

• Few recreational programs

• Recreation Research study

Recreation Research Study• Separate surveys for adults and youth

• To answer the questions:1. How often do you currently exercise?

2. What additional physical activities would you participate in, if offered locally?

3. Do you think exercise is important for good health?

4. How do you rate exercise, as a priority in your daily schedule?

Methods

Questionnaires were distributed throughout

the community at community meetings, local

businesses, community dinners, and community

events such as Ol’ Fashioned Christmas and the

County Fair. Also, the questionnaire appeared

in the local newspaper, and FRN Community

Resources collected questionnaires from

residents who received its services.

Results

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

boys

girls

women

men

How important do you think exercise is in keeping healthy?

very important

important

average

less important

not important

Results

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

boys

girls

women

men

How would you rate physical avtivity and recreation in your daily schedule?

very high

high

average

low

very low

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

boys

girls

women

men

How would you rate physical avtivity and recreation in your daily schedule?

very high

high

average

low

very low

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

boys

girls

women

men

How important do you think exercise is in keeping healthy?

very important

important

average

less important

not important

Results

Outcomes - adult

Program/ActivityNumber attended

Yoga Class 35

Exercise Ball Class 10

Walking Club 63

Line dancing 34

Farmers’ Market 50

Dance 8

Outcomes - youth

Program/ActivityNumber attended

Activity Day 16

Roller-skating Party 102

After school Fitness 5

Hip Hop Dance Class 8

Teen Yoga 8

Beach Party Dance 100

Halloween Dance 30

Middle School Lock-in 53

Additional outcomes• $500 donated to elementary school

walking program

• Milk machine donated

• Fundraising and donations to community walking trail

• Dance Dance Revolution video games donated to elementary schools

• 4H physical activity programs funded

The Next Step

• Sustainability of programming

• Documentation of impacts of programming

Questions?