First year evaluation results from the Healthy Moves, Healthy Foods: InForm Chicago Obesity Prevention Program

Healthy Foods, Healthy Moves: InForm Chicago is a multi-channel social marketing initiative to reduce childhood obesity risks in Chicago children living in low income minority communities. The initiative promotes healthy eating and active living in six Chicago communities using multiple communication channels: in schools, community-based organizations, peer-to-peer education, pediatrician and patient encounters, and unpaid print advertising. Each channel reinforces a core (“5-4-3-2-1 Go!”) message delivered to children and parents: Eat >5 servings of fruits and vegetables; drink 4 servings of water; eat >3 servings of low-fat dairy; spend <2 hours in front of TV or other screen; and get >1 hour of moderate to vigorous activity – all per day. This research project is a partnership of Chicago Community in Schools (CCIS), the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC), and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI).

This paper reports on first year evaluation results from a randomized community trial. Respondents were randomized to receive in-home 5-4-3-2-1 Go! messages in addition to any potential community exposure or not through brief counseling. Data were collected from nearly 600 respondents to an in-person Community Healthy Living Awareness Survey developed by the investigators. Results include nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; food choice and preferences; access to and use of community resources (social capital); exposure and reactions to food marketing; exposure and reactions to 5-4-3-2-1 Go! messages in the community; and food access and safety.

The paper concludes with plans for year two evaluation, analysis of follow up data, and future research.