Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition (OPAN)

Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition (OPAN)

Principal Investigator: Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Ph.D.
Start and End Dates: 11/01/03 – 06/30/07
Source of Funding: New Mexico Department of Health

In 2003 the New Mexico Department of Health’s (DOH) Chronic Disease Bureau received funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish an obesity prevention program, and develop a comprehensive strategic plan to reverse the increasing trend of obesity in the state. A portion of this funding was used to contract with the University of New Mexico’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP) to help develop the state plan and evaluate the planning process. Since 2002, in partnership with DOH’s Physical Activity & Nutrition for Healthier Weight Program, CHPDP has conducted a statewide needs assessment of obesity prevention programs, convened and facilitated steering committee strategic planning meetings, held a statewide obesity forum, served on the interim and current Healthier Weight executive committee, drafted a plan progress monitoring tool and resource directory, provided evaluation technical assistance, and contributed to the writing and final editing of the inaugural edition of New Mexico’s Plan to Promote Healthier Weight.

In fiscal year 2007 CHPDP will continue to work with the Physical Activity & Nutrition for Healthier Weight Program, however our responsibilities have evolved based on the development of the state plan. Activities will focus on evaluation and the refinement of the Healthier Weight Resource Directory that was developed last fiscal year. This year’s scope of work includes: evaluation of a pilot physical activity and nutrition intervention, progress monitoring as outlined in the state plan and participation in the Healthier Weight Council and its executive committee.

For more information about this project, please contact
Dr. Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, (505) 272-4462
or ldcunningham-sabo@salud.unm.edu.

Project Personnel :

Christina Paez, MPH
Associate Scientist
Cpaez@salud.unm.edu

Pamela Sedillo
Program Coordinator
Psedillo@salud.unm.edu

Victoria Sanchez, PhD
Project Consultant
Vsanchez46@aol.com