Signature Assignment-Ecological Research Paper: DRAFT

Running head: ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 1

Ecological Research Paper

Ivory C Castro

National University

March 20, 2021

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 2

Physical Activity and Nutrition among Adults in Mississippi Gulf Coast Community and the

Socio-ecological Model

Physical activity and nutrition among adults in Mississippi Gulf Coast are significant

concerns. There are various positive health consequences associated with physical activity and

good nutrition. Some of the immediate positive health consequences of physical activity and good

nutrition include improving sleep quality, reducing anxiety feelings, and reducing blood pressure

(CDC, 2021). On the other hand, the long-term benefits of physical activity and good nutrition

include reducing the risk of dementia and depression, lowers the risk of getting a stroke, cancers,

type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (CDC, 2021). Other long-term benefits of physical exercise and

better nutrition include reducing the risk of obesity and falls. Many adults in Mississippi Gulf

Coast Community do not like to engage in regular physical activity and practice healthy eating

behaviors. The issue of adults not engaging in regular physical activity and not eating healthy

foods is a concern that will be evaluated by laying focus on the social-ecological model. The socio-

ecological model will provide an opportunity to understand the severity of this problem and the

interventions to be implemented to promote the desired health outcomes (Pollock et al., 2020).

Using the socio-ecological model, one understands how each level within the model impacts the

decision concerning physical activity and the type of food to eat (U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2021). The application of health promotion

and health education is an effective technique for analyzing the source of the selected healthcare

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 3

issue and the strategies and interventions that the relevant agencies can implement to achieve

positive results. This paper seeks to show how the socio-ecological model's levels affect physical

activity and nutrition and indicate how changes at each level of the model can help solve physical

inactivity and bad dietary habits.

Intrapersonal Level

The first level in the socio-ecological model is the intrapersonal level. This particular level

will focus on individual psychological factors related to physical activity and nutrition among

adults living in Mississippi Gulf Coast. Firstly, some adults in Mississippi Gulf Coast are exposed

to childhood obesity without proper health strategies and interventions to address the health

consequences of lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. Secondly, some Mississippi Gulf

Coast adults are not aware of good nutrition, while others have a negative attitude towards physical

activity. Thirdly, some adults practice poor eating habits due to a high level of poverty. Fourthly,

bodyweight genes can also have a relationship with lack of physical activity. Finally, too much

watching of television or online on smartphones, computers, among other internet-enabled devices,

causes a lack of physical activity. The concerned people can implement various strategies and

interventions to address these factors that result in a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits

at the intrapersonal level. They include adults teaching the adults in the Mississippi Gulf Coast

concerning the significance of engaging in regular physical activity and practicing healthy dietary

habits. Those who live in high poverty levels ought to be empowered to afford to buy healthy

foods.

Interpersonal Level

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 4

The second level in the socio-ecological model is the interpersonal level. This level's focus

will be on a group of persons having relationships with a person. For instance, the Mississippi Gulf

Coast adults have a particular form of relationship with their relatives and friends. The concerned

personnel can utilize interpersonal factors to promote the desired outcomes. Firstly, there is a need

to ensure that the adults in the Mississippi Gulf Coast and their loved ones (e.g., relatives and

acquaintances) are directly involved in the health promotion campaign to emphasize good nutrition

and physical activity. It will help promote adults' active participation in Mississippi Gulf Coast in

the health promotion campaign and health education. Secondly, they should engage various

education and healthcare stakeholders to provide the required education to individuals considered

to be at risk of developing overweight and obesity (Granlund, 2021). Therefore, these stakeholders

will utilize their specialty, skills, and authority to improve the program's effectiveness and learning

activities. Thirdly, family, healthcare professionals, and friends play an essential role in motivating

the Mississippi Gulf Coast adults to engage in proper nutrition and regular physical activities. For

instance, family and friends can assist via encouragement by engaging in physical exercise

together. On the other hand, healthcare practitioners can help by offering professional health

advice on the specific physical activities to engage in, the frequency, and the suitable food for

overcoming and preventing the negative health consequences associated with the lack of physical

activity and poor nutrition (Lasry et al., 2020).

Organizational Level

The third level in the socio-ecological model is the organizational level. This particular

level consists of “rules, regulations, policies, etc.” that either increase or lower certain healthy

habits (Cottrell et al., 2018). Firstly, they should integrate health promotional activities related to

physical activities and nutrition into the healthcare program and activities. Doing so will be a

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 5

regular habit for adults in Mississippi Gulf Coast to engage in physical activities and good food.

Secondly, they should mobilize governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to

back the associated health promotion and education activities relating to promoting physical

activity and proper nutrition. They can do so by formulating policies that will encourage the

Mississippi Gulf Coast adults to participate in regular physical activities. For instance, the

government can develop an incentive policy whereby the adults living in Mississippi Gulf Coast

who visit the gym thrice a week get rewards and gifts such as cash vouchers. Additionally, the

government can formulate a policy that discourages the sale of unhealthy foods on the Mississippi

Gulf Coast. These policies are cost-effective and will be instrumental in preventing lack of

physical activity and poor nutrition.

Community Level

The fourth level in the socio-ecological model is the community level. There are some

norms and practices within a specific community (Cottrell et al., 2018). A community's design can

influence whether the community members will engage in regular physical exercises and proper

nutrition. For instance, if a community does not have enough recreational spaces for establishing a

gymnasium, walking, or running, many community members will not engage in physical activity.

Some strategies and interventions can be implemented to encourage regular physical activity and

good nutrition within the Mississippi Gulf Coast community. Firstly, community initiatives and

programs should increase access to adults in Mississippi Gulf Coast for the associated health

promotion activities (physical activity and proper diet). For instance, the community members can

come up with an initiative to construct gymnasiums and parks. Secondly, community activities and

events (such as sports activities and cultural events) should be organized to offer an opportunity to

attract many adults on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for educational purposes on the health issue of

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 6

concern (Roland Katherine et al., 2017). Through such events, the community members will be

educated on the benefits of physical activity and good nutrition. Thirdly, community members are

supposed to push for the production and sale of more healthy foods. Finally, the community health

workers should reach out to adults on Mississippi Gulf Coast and inform them about a healthy diet.

By doing so, they will be cultivating a culture of consuming healthy foods within the community.

Public Policy/Societal Level

The fifth and final level in the socio-ecological model is the public policy/societal level. At

this particular level, there are several local, state, or federal laws or policies aimed at supporting

healthy actions such as physical activity and good nutrition (Cottrell et al., 2018). In the U.S., there

are currently several policies that focus on encouraging physical activity and good food. Firstly, the

Healthy People 2020 goals on nutrition, physical activity, and obesity include "to achieve and

maintain a healthy weight, to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, to reduce the risk of

certain forms of cancer, to strengthen muscles, bones, and joints, and to improve mood and energy

level" (HealthyPeople2020.gov., 2021). These goals can only be achieved by engaging in regular

physical activities and consuming healthy foods. Secondly, the National Early Care and Education

Learning Collaborative (ECELC) project focus on promoting best practices in nutrition (Smith et

al., 2017). The outcome of this particular project is establishing a culture of regularly practicing

healthy dietary behaviors.

Summary

Nutrition and physical activity play a significant role in impacting the health and overall

well-being of individuals. The Mississippi Gulf Coast case brings out the challenge of obesity and

being overweight, conditions greatly influenced by lack of physical activity and poor nutrition.

ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH PAPER 7

Applying the five-level of social ecology offers an opportunity to emphasize sustainable and

effective health promotion strategies and education to overcome the associated adverse health

consequences of lack of physical activity and poor diet.

References

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