scholarly journals Community Readiness – are municipalities prepared to prevent obesity in childhood and youth?

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Schröder ◽  
B Babitsch ◽  
H Hassel
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Multidimensional Analysis ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Childhood And Youth ◽  
Key Informant

Abstract Background Essential for the success of prevention efforts is the readiness to address a health problem (community readiness). Aim of this study is to analyze the stage of community readiness for the prevention of childhood obesity in municipalities using the Community Readiness Model (CRM). Based on this, strategies will be developed to improve community readiness for the prevention of obesity in childhood and youth. Methods A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in the databases PubMed, LIVIVO, Cochrane and Google Scholar to identify studies that used the CRM for the prevention of childhood obesity. In order to assess community readiness, the CRM, a structured interview guide and scoring system, was used. Following the CRM protocol, guided interviews were conducted with key informants that were identified in a modified stakeholder analysis. The transcribed interviews were analyzed by two scientists following the CRM scoring system. Results The SLR revealed 270 hits. In 28 international studies the CRM has been applied to childhood obesity prevention, predominantly in the Anglo-American language area. In Germany, no studies could be identified using the CRM for the prevention of childhood obesity. Key informant interviews (n = 28) were conducted in five Bavarian municipalities from January to April 2021. The key informant sample comprised administration departments, health and educational facilities. Conclusions The CRM enables a multidimensional analysis of a municipality's material and immaterial infrastructure. In workshops with the participating municipalities the results of the community readiness assessment will be reflected. The aim is to develop an action plan with strategies to increase the stage of readiness and support prevention efforts in order to address childhood obesity. Key messages The CRM provides a theoretical basis to understand and improve community readiness. It enables the analysis of assets and weaknesses that can influence obesity prevention in municipalities.

Increasing Community Readiness for Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Case Study of Four Communities in Georgia

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992091712
Author(s):  
Erica Heath ◽  
Victoria Sanon ◽  
Dana Keener Mast ◽  
Debra Kibbe ◽  
Rodney Lyn
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Community Knowledge ◽  
Community Readiness Model ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Community Climate

The community readiness model (CRM) was used to assess changes in community readiness across four counties in Georgia that were targeted as part of a 3-year Childhood Obesity Prevention Program. Key respondent interviews were conducted with community stakeholders in 2012 (n = 20) and 2017 (n = 18) using a semistructured questionnaire assessing six dimensions of community readiness (i.e., community efforts, community knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, community knowledge about the issue, and resources available to support efforts). Interviews were analyzed using the CRM scoring protocol and qualitative methods. Paired t tests were used to compare mean score differences between baseline and follow-up assessments. At baseline, overall mean readiness scores for the four counties ranged from 4.52 to 5.05 on the CRM 9-point scale. At follow-up, overall readiness scores ranged from 6.01 to 6.97 out of 9.00. Data revealed a statistically significant improvement in scores across all communities (+1.70, p = .007; 95% confidence interval [0.87, 2.51]). Data also revealed statistically significant improvements in every dimension of readiness, except community knowledge of the issue. Information gleaned from interviews suggested that investing in staff to support efforts, building awareness to shift the community climate, and cross sector collaboration contributed to improved community readiness among the study communities. The provision of technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and financial support as part of a cooperative grant initiative holds promise for increasing the capacity of community coalitions to advance childhood obesity prevention efforts in their local communities.

Community Readiness for Childhood Obesity Prevention

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Sheldon ◽  
Rodney Lyn ◽  
Laura Bracci ◽  
Mary Ann Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention

Readiness of communities to engage with childhood obesity prevention initiatives in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Cyril ◽  
Michael Polonsky ◽  
Julie Green ◽  
Kingsley Agho ◽  
Andre Renzaho
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Community Readiness Model

Objective Disadvantaged communities bear a disproportionate burden of childhood obesity and show low participation in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. This study aims to examine the level of readiness of disadvantaged communities to engage with childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Methods Using the community readiness model, 95 semi-structured interviews were conducted among communities in four disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia. Community readiness analysis and paired t-tests were performed to assess the readiness levels of disadvantaged communities to engage with childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Results The results showed that disadvantaged communities demonstrated low levels of readiness (readiness score = 4/9, 44%) to engage with the existing childhood obesity prevention initiatives, lacked knowledge of childhood obesity and its prevention, and reported facing challenges in initiating and sustaining participation in obesity prevention initiatives. Conclusion This study highlights the need to improve community readiness by addressing low obesity-related literacy levels among disadvantaged communities and by facilitating the capacity-building of bicultural workers to deliver obesity prevention messages to these communities. Integrating these needs into existing Australian health policy and practice is of paramount importance for reducing obesity-related disparities currently prevailing in Australia. What is known about the topic? Childhood obesity prevalence is plateauing in developed countries including Australia; however, obesity-related inequalities continue to exist in Australia especially among communities living in disadvantaged areas, which experience poor engagement in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Studies in the USA have found that assessing disadvantaged communities’ readiness to participate in health programs is a critical initial step in reducing the disproportionate obesity burden among these communities. However, no studies in Australia have assessed disadvantaged communities’ readiness to engage in obesity prevention initiatives. What does this paper add? This paper addresses the current gap in the knowledge of disadvantaged communities’ level of readiness to engage in childhood obesity prevention initiatives in Australia. The study also identified the key factors responsible for low readiness of disadvantaged communities to participate in current childhood obesity prevention services. By using the Community Readiness model this study shows the readiness levels specific to the various dimensions of the model; Understanding dimension-specific readiness allows us to identify strategies that are tailored to each dimension, as guided by the model. What are the implications for practitioners? With the increasing burden of childhood obesity on disadvantaged communities, policymakers and health practitioners are facing a crisis in obesity prevention and management. Almost every year, new interventions are being planned and implemented. However if the target communities are not ready to participate in the available interventions these efforts are futile. This study exposes the key factors responsible for low readiness to participate in current obesity prevention services by disadvantaged communities. Addressing these key factors and improving readiness before designing new interventions will improve the participation of disadvantaged communities in those interventions. The study findings ultimately have the potential of reducing obesity-related disparities in Australia.

Community readiness for childhood obesity prevention programs: findings from an urban population in Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Niknam ◽  
Nasrin Omidvar ◽  
Parisa Amiri ◽  
Hassan Eini-Zinab ◽  
Naser Kalantari
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Community Readiness Model ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Obesity Prevention Programs

Summary This study aimed to examine the Iranian local communities’ readiness stage to engage with childhood obesity prevention programs for late primary school children in districts 2 and 16 of Tehran as the representatives of high and low socio-economic districts, respectively. First, a Delphi approach was conducted to assess the socio-cultural necessity/appropriateness and adequacy of the community readiness model and its dimensions as a planning basis for childhood obesity prevention program(s) in Iran. Then, the community readiness interview guide’s translation, modification, content and face validity were performed. Finally, 66 interviews with key informants were conducted and scored to assess community readiness. The socio-cultural necessity/appropriateness and adequacy of community readiness model and its dimensions were confirmed by Delphi participants and two questions were added to the interview guide. Content and face validity of the interview guide were at acceptable levels. Assessment of the community readiness based on the key informants’ perspective showed that the overall mean readiness score of targeted local communities was 4.61 ± 0.54 and 4.22 ± 0.26 in high and low socio-economic districts, respectively, corresponded to ‘preplanning stage’. The highest score was 5.00 ± 0.48 correspond to the ‘preparation stage’, which belonged to girls’ schools in district 2. Small differences were found in the readiness stage of local communities by sex and socio-economic status of schools. The results highlight the need to increase community awareness, gain their support to recognize childhood obesity as a priority, address cultural misconceptions and improve the obesity prevention programs to achieve a higher level of readiness.

scholarly journals The Action Plan and Strategy Development for the Community Readiness Improvement for Tackling Childhood Obesity (CRITCO) Study

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Niknam ◽  
Nasrin Omidvar ◽  
Parisa Amiri ◽  
Hassan Eini-Zinab ◽  
Naser Kalantari
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Intervention Package ◽  
Engagement Process ◽  
Readiness Level ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: Community Readiness Improvement for Tackling Childhood Obesity (CRITCO) study has been developed based on the community readiness model (CRM) to improve the readiness of targeted local communities from two diverse socioeconomic districts of Tehran for tackling childhood obesity (CO) of late primary school children (10 - 12 years of age). Objectives: This study aimed to describe the rationale and process of developing the fourth phase of CRITCO study by developing an intervention package. Methods: The readiness level data was used to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of four intervention sites to guide proper strategies in partnership with key community members. Then, the action plan was developed as a living document to guide a 6-month quasi-experimental community-based intervention around the six dimensions of CRM. Finally, the community engagement process, outcome, and evaluation process were explained. Results: The current report described the action plan and strategy development of the CRITCO study. Expectedly, this study can provide valuable information to guide the public health policymakers in planning and executing relevant interventions.

scholarly journals Government and school community member perception on childhood obesity prevention in the primary school settings of Brunei Darussalam

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-188
Author(s):  
Siti Rohaiza Ahmad ◽  
Lisa Schubert ◽  
Robert Bush
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Behavior Management ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
School Community ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Brunei Darussalam

Introduction: Childhood obesity is increasing in the Southeast Asian region, including in the nation of Brunei Darussalam. Within the public health focus on obesity prevention, specific settings, including primary schools, have been singled out as suitable sites for action. Recognizing that stakeholders are, in their various roles, producers of policy or implementers of practice, the purpose of this study in Brunei was to establish a baseline for interventions as well as to establish strengths and limitations in the current practice. Methods: Semi-structured interview with government and school community stakeholders was conducted, and transcriptions were thematically analyzed. Results: Three themes emerged from the data. The first theme was “children’s eating habits today = healthy adult population tomorrow;” many of the stakeholders believed that, if healthy eating is not practiced from an early stage, this can lead to the development of harmful diet-related diseases in the future. The second theme was “barriers to effectively addressing the issue of childhood obesity;” all were able to identify barriers such as workforce issues to address obesity prevention and health promotion activities. The third theme was “parental responsibility for children’s diet and physical activity habits.” The majority of respondents believed that parents are responsible for the rise in childhood obesity in Brunei. Conclusions: The widespread ethos of personal responsibility for health behaviors has resulted in policies having a heavy emphasis on individual health behavior management and blame for the problem being directed primarily at parents. This individualization of the problem of childhood obesity is a barrier to the planning and implementation of ecological interventions.

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