The purpose of this research is to better understand how resident-led activities to change the community environment affect health. The Change Club is a small group of residents who will try to change their community environment relative to food (for example, foods in restaurants or schools) or physical activity opportunities (for example, parks or walking trails) by following a step-wise process facilitated by an extension educator. The purpose of this research is to better understand if and how these activities affect individual behaviors (for example physical activity) and health outcomes (for example BMI) of adults in rural communities.~This study will take place in designated rural communities in Texas and New York. It is planned that about 2,260 people will participate in this study. Some will participate as Change Club members; some will participate as family and friends of Change Club members; and others will participate as community residents.
This is a community randomized controlled trial to evaluate a civic engagement curriculum through which residents will identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity and then implement a project in their communities.