Evaluating activities implemented by a countywide childhood obesity prevention taskforce and the current status of childhood obesity in San Mateo County, California

The Get Healthy San Mateo County Taskforce (Taskforce), a collaboration of over 275 stakeholders, designed a strategic plan to reduce and prevent childhood obesity in San Mateo County, California. An evaluation team implemented a questionnaire for individuals and a qualitative survey for committees and reviewed multiple data sources to evaluate progress of this initiative. Fifty-five percent of people who participated in more than one committee meeting between 2006 and 2007 responded to the individual survey. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents reported a high level of satisfaction with the Taskforce and 84% reported a high level of satisfaction with their committees. The evaluation found that certain racial/ethnic populations continue to experience health disparities associated with childhood obesity. California Physical Fitness Test data revealed that fewer students who are Hispanic (23%), Black (24%) or Pacific Islanders (18%) in San Mateo County passed all six of the fitness standards as compared with students of all races (35%). Evaluation challenges included a low response rate to the survey, committees' lack of interest in using data for program planning, and few indicators that measured environmental factors. The team will distribute surveys to individuals and committees annually and will review data on obesity and healthy behaviors such as Body Mass Index and the number of servings of fruits and vegetables that students consume daily. The team will also explore how to incorporate environmental indicators such as access to parks and supermarkets.