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Virginia Family Nutrition Program��Increasing Knowledge of Built Environment Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Initiatives to Enhance Access and Opportunities for Physical Activity in Virginia SNAP-Ed�

Contributors: Austin Brooks, MS, RDN, CPT

Sarah Misyak, PhD, MPH

Gabrielle Young, MPH

Elena Serrano, PhD

ASNNA Virtual Conference 2023

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Goal for Today’s Session

Describe professional development opportunity created for SNAP-Ed policies, systems, and environmental change initiatives for the built environment to enhance access and opportunities for physical activity.

Infographic from CDC’s Step It Up!

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Background: Needs Assessment for Physical Activity Access and Opportunities

Participants reported location and access to places to be physically active as their main barriers.

Participants indicated interest in projects to improve access to physical activity infrastructure, such as using school facilities after hours, and new or enhanced walking and biking infrastructure.

SNAP-Ed Agents indicated support for built environment strategies, but less comfort and perceived feasibility

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Built Environment Course

Online, self-paced professional development course to understand the connections between the built environment, health, equity, and SNAP-Ed guidance

Practical application activities for community assessment, partnership development, and internal collaboration

Connects with previous trainings on walkability and bikeability assessments, mapping SNAP-Ed projects in communities, and conducting policy scans and adapting model policies