215736 Evaluating a comprehensive child health initiative: Results from Nemours Health & Prevention Services

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Allison Gertel-Rosenberg, MS , Nemours, Nemours, Newark, DE
Debbie I. Chang, MPH , Vice President, Policy and Prevention, Nemours, Newark, DE
Vonna Drayton, DrPH , Public Health and Epidemiology, Abt Associates, Bethesda, MD
Gwedoline Angalet , Health and Prevention Services, Nemours, Newark, DE
Early results show that Delaware's comprehensive obesity initiative has stemmed the increase in prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity with findings that prevalence is statistically unchanged for children since 2006. Nemours' initiative has also spurred increased knowledge of healthy eating and increased physical activity in school and care settings, resulting in policy and practice changes. This model, of focusing on population health and changing policies and practices in multiple settings through strategic partnerships, knowledge mobilization and social marketing, can effectively address obesity and other complex problems facing children today is the focus of a comprehensive evaluation. Results from the 2008 Delaware survey suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity for Delaware children ages 2-17 years has not changed significantly since measured in 2006. Furthermore, no statistically significant changes in prevalence of overweight and obesity were observed within geographic and demographic categories between 2006 and 2008. There was a four-fold increase in Delaware households' awareness of the 5-2-1-Almost None message. When there was parental message awareness, significantly more children age birth through 17 years engaged in one hour of physical activity per day (10% vs. 26%) and moderate to vigorous physical activity for more than 20 minutes (21% vs. 33%) between 2006 and 2008. The data indicate that changes are being implemented in systems – schools, childcare, primary care – with associated changes in healthy eating and physical activity behaviors, and ultimately health outcomes. The results of this initial evaluation provide evidence for the efficacy of a comprehensive prevention-oriented model.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe an evaluation methodology that can account for policy and practice changes impacts on health outcomes. Explain and critically dissect the methodology used in Delaware to evaluate a comprehensive child health initiative.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am trained in program evaluation and was a primary author on the results presented in this presentation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.