Interview methods and applications

¶ … obesity epidemic is a relatively recent social problem in America. As Ambinder notes in a useful summary article for the Atlantic Monthly, rates of obesity in America were stable from 1960 to 1980, "but then from 1980 to 2000 they doubled" (Ambinder 2010). The declaration of an epidemic was made by the Surgeon General the following year in 2001, and by 2008, "68% of American adults were overweight and 34% were obese" (Ambinder 2010). Astonishingly, while the U.S. government had provided information on nutrition for a very long time, the government was slow to issue official guidelines for physical fitness and its role in combating obesity: this was finally done in 2008, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued their first-ever "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans," in which they noted "we clearly know enough now to recommend that all Americans should engage in regular physical activity to improve overall health and to reduce risk of many health problems. Physical activity is a leading example of how lifestyle choices have a profound effect on health." (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008, 1).

Among non-profit organizations that are doing their part to combat this epidemic (which is itself a combination of public health problem and social problem) is the Family YMCA of Greater Laurens, located at 410 Anderson Drive, Laurens SC 29360 (Tel: [HIDDEN] ). Mr. Brian Harlan is the CEO of the Laurens YMCA, which was established in 1969. Although the YMCA is a national organization with a long history, Harlan was quick to note in an interview that this specific major public health crisis facing America is also currently the chief concern of his organization, stating that "we focus on the obesity epidemic in our community, state, and country." (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014). Harlan noted that the larger values of the YMCA are "healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development" -- however in terms of the facilities offered by the YMCA and the strengths of their staff, the focus on the obesity epidemic is certainly the easiest and most obvious way for the organization to promote healthy living (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014). Harlan additionally noted that, although the name "YMCA" is probably familiar to most Americans locally, each YMCA is an independent association -- and in the case of the Laurens YMCA, he noted that "we have received some funding from the Centers for Disease Control to assist in our efforts" at combating obesity (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014).

Obviously after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued its first set of physical activity guidelines in 2008, organizations like the YMCA that promote physical activity became a more integrated part of the fight against obesity. However, the YMCA does things specifically to fight the obesity epidemic that might sound unusual for those familiar with a local YMCA as a gymnasium: Harlan noted that, to fight obesity, "we are installing walking trails in the community, providing nutritional classes, and constructing community gardens" (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014). This is in addition to the existing programs which will be more familiar to those who have been to a YMCA, which include in Harlan's accounting "more than 78 program opportunities…such programs as sports, aquatics, wellness and childcare" (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014). The YMCA utilizes both "paid employees and volunteers" to provide these services to a large community: a "diverse population" of "more than 5,500" unique individuals in 2013, with "no limit on length of service" provided, and many coming because they have been "advised by their physician" or otherwise "seek[ing] support from the Y" through friend recommendations or advertising (Harlan, personal communication, April 8, 2014).