The evaluation of obesity prevention programs is based on outcome data that are related to the risk factors for obesity. Some of the outcome data that can help in the evaluation process include the following: behavioural risk factor indicators, the level of environmental conduciveness to healthy behaviours, physical activity indicator, nutritional indicators, and the level of nutrition knowledge. Behavioural risk factor indicators are crucial in evaluating the success of a health promotion program aimed at preventing or reducing the prevalence of obesity within any given community (Institute of Medicine (U.S.) et al., 2005). In this case, it is important to note that efforts aimed at preventing the development of obesity partly seek to promote behaviour change. Some of the behavioural risk factors to obesity include smoking and television viewing for long hours (Clark, 2003).
Data concerning how conducive the environment is to the efforts aimed at promoting the prevention of childhood obesity is highly relevant in the evaluation of obesity prevention programs. It is important to note that physical and social environments exhibit great influence on one’s attitude and behaviours (Mason, 2008). Therefore, efforts aimed at promoting a change in behaviour among a certain group of people should focus on modifying the environment to suit such efforts. Measuring the extent to which the physical environment is likely to support the goals of obesity prevention program, for instance, is an important way of evaluating the program (Branca et al., 2007). Environment assessment should focus on the presence of junk foods, cigarettes, and other foods that promote the development of obesity at the local kiosks for example.
Nutritional indicators are also crucial outcome data in the evaluation of a program aimed at promoting childhood obesity. Nutrition indicators such as weight change and nutritional practices provide an indication of the likelihood to develop obesity. For example, the level of compliance with healthy eating habit shows how determined members of the community are to prevent obesity and other health problems. The level of nutrition knowledge is also an important factor in evaluating childhood obesity prevention program. This is the case because for such a program to succeed, people must desist from practising behaviours that put them and their children at risk of developing obesity. However, before they desist from such behaviours, they must be informed first since addressing knowledge gap is an important step in promoting behaviour change. In this case, they must know the dangers associated with such practices.
The success of a program aimed at promoting the fight against childhood obesity can partly be determined by the level of tobacco smoking in the community where the program is conducted, the nutritional indicators of the community, and how conducive the environment is to healthy behaviours among others. The program can be considered successful if the affected community exhibits the following: a reduction in the level of tobacco use, high knowledge in overweight and obesity (Koplan, & Institute of Medicine (U.S.), 2007), conducive environment to healthy behaviours, a positive change in nutritional status such as reduction in weight among people who are overweight (Kopelman, Caterson, & Dietz, 2009), and an increase in the number of children that engage in physical activity for at least one hour. Therefore, these outcome measurements will be used in the evaluation of the proposed childhood obesity prevention project.
The above outcome data can be measured in various ways. In childhood obesity prevention programs, the exposure of a child to tobacco can be assessed by administering a self-reported questionnaire to the parents and other relatives. However, laboratory assessment of children’s level of exposure to tobacco is more accurate. The assessment of the environment for its conduciveness in supporting obesity prevention programs can also be done using a checklist or rating scale. In this case, the unhealthy foods can be assessed and the environment rated on this basis. The nutritional status can be measured using the tools for measuring anthropometric measurements. A questionnaire can also be used in assessing the level of knowledge of the parents and the children.
If the outcomes do not provide positive results, then a summative assessment should be conducted to identify the reasons for the program’s failure. This step should focus more on the implementation of the program. Based on the success of the program, health care practices may adopt the interventions used in the program to combat childhood obesity.
References
Branca, F., Nikogosian, H., Lobstein, T., & World Health Organization. (2007). The challenge of obesity in the WHO European Region and the strategies for response. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe.Top of Form
Clark, M. J. D. (2003). Community health nursing: Caring for populations. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Kopelman, P. G., Caterson, I., & Dietz, W. (2009). Clinical Obesity in Adults and Children. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.Top of Form
Koplan, J., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (2007). Progress in preventing childhood obesity: How do we measure up?. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
Mason, B. (2008). Passing CAHSEE But Failing Math and English: What Best Predicts High School Classroom Achievement?. ProQuest. Bottom of FormTop of Form
