Lessons learned and impact simulations of local obesity prevention strategies in los angeles county

Introduction: Few studies have described the range and impacts of local obesity prevention strategies in communities supported by the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program and the Community Transformation Grant (CTG). The present study reviews the adopted strategies for public education, physical activity promotion, and healthy food environment creation in Los Angeles County (LAC). Lessons learned and simulations of program impacts are presented and discussed. Methods: Using a systematic framework to synthesize program information and population reach, compile system/environmental (SE) strategy milestones, and analyze data from qualitative interviews of key stakeholders, we documented historical and programmatic trends of obesity prevention strategies implemented in LAC from 2010 to the present. To forecast program/strategy impact, we employed PRISM to simulate cardiovascular disease outcomes, obesity burden, and other behavioral changes 20 years into the future.

Results: Obesity prevention strategies implemented in LAC ranged from healthy food procurement (est. reach: 600,000 students, 300,000 meals in various food venues) to completed joint use agreements to a series of strategically-designed counter-advertising campaigns on healthy eating. Based on PRSIM simulations, these highlighted successes have the potential (collectively) to modestly reduce (by 2040) youth (-2.91%) and adult (-2.16%) obesity; the fraction of youth (-7.07%) and adults (-6.46%) without recommended physical activity amount; and the fraction of youth (-1.05%) and adults (-0.79%) who consumed excess junk food.

Discussion: Lessons learned and favorable impact simulations of CPPW and CTG strategies can help inform present and future policy and spending decisions related to obesity prevention efforts.