Identifying Local Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs and Policies

Topics:
Healthy Youth | Obesity

A team comprising members of the CDC Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health, CDC Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, CDC Prevention Research Centers Program, and Macro International is identifying local-level programs and policies that have improved the eating habits and physical activity levels of children.

In each year of this 2-year project, an advisory committee will identify three topic areas for review. The topic areas for the first year are after-school programs and daycare centers; local wellness policies implemented at the school district level; and access to affordable, high-quality, low calorie-dense foods in low-economic, inner-city communities. For each topic area, the committee will identify policies and programs implemented to address obesity among children aged 3 – 17 years. An expert panel will then select about 10 programs or policies within each topic area for an evaluability assessment (i.e., an analysis of characteristics indicating capacity and readiness for evaluation). Programs and policies selected must meet specific criteria, such as being innovative, having the potential for positive outcomes, and being feasible. Programs and policies that address low-income populations and ethnic groups for which the prevalence of childhood obesity is disproportionate will be of particular interest.

Trained project staff will conduct the assessments, which include a review of the program's documents followed by a 2-day site visit. During the site visit, the project staff will assess the program's implementation, data collection methods, and outcomes; on-site technical assistance also may be provided. Based on the assessment findings, the expert panel will identify the programs and policies that show promise in addressing childhood obesity and are ready for rigorous evaluation. Project funds will support one such evaluation, and the evaluation of other programs and policies may be considered for future funding.

 

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