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Windshield Survey: Marion County

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Windshield Survey: Marion County

Marion County, named after Francis Marion, is one of the most iconic counties in

Florida. Francis Mario was a revolutionary War officer from South Carolina considered one of

the pioneers in modern guerilla warfare. Historical records present that the original inhabitants in

Florida were the Timucua. Their territory ideally stretched from Orlando to Jacksonville and

Cedar Key to Dayton. In the 1800s, long after the Timucua had faded to new diseases brought by

the Spanish colonizers, the land that later became known as Marion County was dominated by a

military outpost known as Fort King, near Ocala (Marion County, 2021). After the fort was

abandoned after the Seminole threat died off, the land remained free for the taking. Therefore,

under the Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842, any settler that could clear up to five acres of

land that was not within two miles of a military installation and protect it with arms was allowed

to live there for five years free of charge. Fast forward to 1844, Marion County was officially

created from bits of Orange, Alachua, and Hillsborough counties (Marion County, 2021). During

its creation, the country was much larger than it is now, with bits sliced off to create Sumter,

Lake, and Putnam Counties.

The Vulnerable Population

An exploration of Marion County presents multiple demographic variables. Primarily, lifestyle

diseases have a high prevalence rate in the county. Studies show that 65% of adults in the county

are considered to be of an unhealthy weight. Further, nearly 16 percent of middle and high

school students are overweight, with almost 14 percent being considered obese (West,

Krukowski, & Larsen, 2018). This presents a significant public health issue that needs to be

addressed by the Department of Health. The county has the 11th highest rate of obesity in the
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United States. Generally, the obesity rates are associated with different aspects of the community

life, its organization, and the amenities available.

Community Review

Ethnicity and Religion

Marion County has a diversified community structure of people from different ethnic

groups. Generally, non-Hispanic Whites make up 53.9% of the population, followed by African

Americans at 28.1%. The diversity of the people in the county includes Asians, Hispanics, and

native Americans. This way, the religious practices in the community are overly diverse.

Christianity, however, is the predominant religion with multiple churches in the community

infrastructure. The noted churches include Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, and Presbyterian

churches. The community also has numerous mosques, of which two were spotted during the

survey.

Politics

The county had little evidence of political activity at face value. However, the drive

passed by several campaign billboards. The political affiliation of the county seems to be

Republican, with most posters observed having a Republican affiliation. However, the overall

political mix of the county has a balance of both Democrat and Republican supporters.

Housing
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The housing in Ocala is diverse, with architectural designs that stretch across the area’s

history. Primarily, most houses appear to be between 20 and 50 years old. The designs range

from Victorian to modern apartment complexes that pervade the skyline. Most residential

apartments are single-family units that have between two and three bedrooms. There is also a

clear distinction between Ocala’s commercial and residential zones.

Figure 1: Marion County Amenities

Transport and Communication

The survey area has excellent access roads and three main highways. This helps to

facilitate both public and private transportation options. Most homes seem to have an internet

connection with cable and wireless services. This enables connectivity to the outside world.
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Restaurants and Eateries

Most of the ready-food places in the area are fast food places, with chain restaurants

taking up most of the eateries in the area. The restaurants in some locations also include single-

store units. However, most are centered on the fast-food industry.

Open Spaces

Ocala has multiple playgrounds and parks that serve as the leading open spaces. These

include Rainbow Springs and the Ocala National Forest. The Santos Trails also provide an apt

opportunity for biking and hiking in the area.

Nursing Assessment Conclusions

Multiple community issues cause the Obesity Epidemic in Marion County. The

pathophysiology of obesity and overweightness is linked to excess caloric consumption and

genetic predispositions. A rapid rise in the rate of obesity in the county indicates non-genetic

factors playing a more significant role in the development of the epidemic (Nørtoft, Chubb, &

Borglykke, 2018). The changes in the environment and other social determinants that impact

health behaviors play a crucial role.

The urban sprawl and changes in land-use policies have generally had the most

significant impact. Currently, people are more likely to use sessile options in transportation to get

to school, work, and other destinations (Nørtoft, Chubb, & Borglykke, 2018). Further, abundant

access to cheap and energy-dense fast foods, as evidenced by the high number of fast-food chain

restaurants in the area, also contributes to the healthcare problem. The family structure in the

area also tied to the socioeconomic status, which means parents spend more time working and

cannot prepare homemade meals for their children. The diminished access to open public spaces

for children to play also means an increase in the chances of childhood obesity.
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References

Marion County. (2021). Historic sites | Ocala Marion County, Florida. Ocala / Marion County

Florida. https://www.ocalamarion.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/history/?

gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9mPBhCJARIsAHchl1wjaX5o9JM67ggAmgp3Y67s3mYLv1Q3yvlkvyDlUq

xPYbFSSSt-NqAaAtouEALw_wcB

Nørtoft, E., Chubb, B., & Borglykke, A. (2018). Obesity and healthcare resource utilization:

comparative results from the UK and the USA. Obesity science & practice, 4(1), 41-45

West, D. S., Krukowski, R. A., & Larsen, C. A. (2018). Treatment of obesity in community settings.

Obesity science & practice, 4(1), 55.