Evaluating progress of obesity prevention: What framework should we follow?

Progress in obesity prevention depends on informed action. The goal of the 2013 IOM report, Taking Action in Evaluating Progress of Obesity Prevention Efforts, is to offer a framework and plans for measuring progress and identifying effective actions for national and community evaluation of progress in obesity prevention. The tasks accomplished in the report are:

1. Drawing on the recommendations and recommended indicators of progress from the preceding IOM committee and report, Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention, this report considers also currently used and new tools and metrics to measure progress, and develops a plan for a national level evaluation of obesity prevention efforts by sector and, as appropriate, across sectors; 2. Developing a community-level measurement plan that adds detail and support to the national-level evaluation plan; and 3. Identifying measurement ideas that can determine the specific impact of the overall HBO/IOM (The Weight of the Nation) campaign.

Also shared will be evaluation recommendations for taking action to advance progress in obesity prevention and reducing disparities in the behavioral and environmental antecedents of obesity.