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Obesity prevention programs and policies: Practitioner and policy-maker perceptions of feasibility and effectiveness
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 20:10 authored by Verity ClelandVerity Cleland, McNeilly, B, Crawford, D, Ball, KObjectives The aims of this study were to map obesity prevention activity being implemented by government, non-government, and community-based organizations; to determine practitioner and policy-maker perceptions of the feasibility and effectiveness of a range of evidence-based obesity prevention strategies; and to determine practitioner and policy-maker perceptions of preferred settings for obesity prevention strategies. Design and Methods This study involved a cross-sectional survey of 304 public health practitioners and policy-makers from government, non-government, and community organizations across Victoria, Australia. Participants reported their organizations' current obesity prevention programs and policies, their own perceptions of the feasibility and effectiveness of strategies to prevent obesity and their preferred settings for obesity prevention. Results Thirty-nine percent had an obesity prevention policy, and 92% were implementing obesity prevention programs. The most common programs focused on education, skill-building, and increasing access to healthy eating/physical activity opportunities. School curriculum-based initiatives, social support for physical activity, and family-based programs were considered the most effective strategies, whereas curriculum-based initiatives, active after-school programs, and providing access to and information about physical activity facilities were deemed the most feasible strategies. Schools were generally perceived as the most preferred setting for obesity prevention. Conclusion Many organizations had obesity prevention programs, but far fewer had obesity prevention policies. Current strategies and those considered feasible and effective are often mismatched with the empirical literature. Systems to ensure better alignment between researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers, and identifying effective methods of translating empirical evidence into practice and policy are required. Copyright © 2012 The Obesity Society.
History
Publication title
ObesityVolume
21Issue
9Pagination
E448-E455ISSN
1930-7381Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.Place of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright 2012 The Obesity SocietyRepository Status
- Restricted