The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand the causes and forces at work that explain the data and the resources our agency plans to commit to address the health issue.

What's Helping What We Do? These are the positive forces at work that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Competent instructors and appropriate education materials.
• Good partnerships with the local schools.

What's Hurting What We Do? These are the negative forces at work that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Lack of resources
• Limited availability of students and time in lesson plans

What's Helping Communities Served/Customer Change? These are the positive forces at work that influence customer change.

• Increased awareness 
• Increased self-efficacy to make healthier choices

What's Hurting Communities Served/Customer Change? These are the negative forces at work that influence customer change.

• Limited autonomy of the age group being educated

The following actions have been identified by our agency and community members as ideas for what can work for our community to make a difference to increase activity and decrease the intake of sugary drinks.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference to increase activity and decrease the intake of sugary drinks.

• Offering healthier drink options at school

• Increased activity at home after school

What is Currently Working in Our Community These are actions and approaches that are currently in place in our community to make a difference to increase activity and decrease the intake of sugary drinks.

• Increase of safe areas for physical activity, i.e. rail trails expansion

• Bike safety courses offered in elementary school P.E. classes

• Bike helmet fitting and free helmet given to all 3rd graders in Rutherford County

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on [name health issue].

What Community Members Most Affected by Making a Difference to Increase Activity and Decrease the Intake of Sugary Drinks Say These are the actions and approaches recommended by members of our community who are most affected by making a difference to increase activity and decrease the intake of sugary drinks.

• They have trouble getting healthier options at home that are as appealing as the unhealthy options

• They are less motivated to be active at home due to unsafe environment, lack of activities, or no one to be active with