“Find the Fun Now” Campaign Looks to Counter Growing Obesity

Your health matters, so much so the Pinellas County Health Department has called upon the Orlando based communication and behavior change expert Salter Mitchell to flesh out the facts and come up with tactics that steer more people to parks, beaches and farmers markets to engage in physical activity and healthier eating. 

For media outlets, the campaign will use online banners, cable TV, newspapers, in-theater ads, ads in bus shelters and possibly on billboards. 

“Our purpose is to boost consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as increase the number of people participating in regular physical activity,” says Sara Isaacs, Strategist with Salter Mitchell whose research is part of a broader campaign of the County Health Department and Communities Putting Prevention to Work. 

“On a parallel tract we are working on ways to engage people in conversations about policies and public improvements that would support healthy lifestyles and reinforce the importance of community environment.” Isaacs said. 

“Partnering with local governments, schools, early learning coalitions, YMCAs, local businesses, community and faith-based groups, contributes to encouraging healthy behavior,” Isaacs said.

Many communities across America have limited access to nutritional staples or parks and playgrounds where children and adults can be active. Fortunately, Pinellas County residents say they can easily find fresh fruits and vegetables and parks and playgrounds near their homes.

The campaign will include a website suggesting activities that are fun to do, places that are fun to eat in, things that are fun to make. You supply data on where, what time, budget preferences, what places are pet friendly. Find the Fun now aims to make it easier for everyone to access active fun and 'feel good foods'

What isn’t needed, claims the study, is the repetition of well-known information: that physical activity is good for their health or that they can find fruits and vegetables at Publix. Instead of advice, there needs to be an exchange between program and audience.

The study so far shows substantial results in generating a base of supporters for community improvement projects plus improving communication about a healthy infrastructure and getting feedback on community improvements.