Using an intensive training approach to assess and prioritize evidence-based strategies for obesity prevention — Colorado, 2011

Background: Colorado's adult obesity rate has doubled since 1995, prompting the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to list obesity as its top prevention priority. To learn about evidence-based obesity prevention strategies, CDPHE staff participated in an intensive literature review training to identify physical activity and nutrition strategies for prioritization of obesity prevention efforts. Methods: We conducted a two-day literature review training and instructed staff how to search for and obtain systematic reviews, peer-reviewed journal articles and non–peer-reviewed reports. Staff was divided into 8 multidisciplinary teams organized by obesity prevention setting (e.g., schools or worksites) and used these literature types to learn about physical activity and nutrition strategies to implement in Colorado. Staff was trained to use standardized tools to critique findings, systematically abstract key information, and classify the evidence level of each identified strategy. Results: Forty-five CDPHE staff seeking to build skills conducting literature reviews attended the training. Improved skills to identify relevant literature and critically analyze findings were demonstrated through a post-test evaluation. As a result of newly acquired skills, staff identified systematic reviews and peer-reviewed articles describing physical activity and nutrition strategies. By working in teams, staff effectively evaluated the evidence strength of each strategy from emerging to proven using a typology adapted from Healthy People 2020. Conclusions: This training offered staff a shared experience to gain hands-on practice completing literature reviews and selecting evidence-based strategies, thereby enhancing CDPHE obesity prevention efforts. Public health practitioners elsewhere can duplicate this process for other health priorities.