Community partnerships and childhood obesity prevention through systems change

Obesity

The Introduction and Topic Area

Called "the biggest threat to the health of Americans today," obesity affects two-thirds of American adults and about a fifth of American children (California School Health Care Centers Association, 2009; Kalakanis & Moulton, 2006). Children spend between six to eight hours per day at school, more if they are involved in extra-curricular activities. Schools have "established infrastructure" offering an ample opportunity to provide effective and accessible anti-obesity programs (California School Health Care Centers Association, 2009). This proposal builds on prior research into what works and what does not work in school-based anti-obesity programs, and proposes the development of one such program. Therefore, the topic area is clearly related to preventing and treating childhood obesity, with a focus on involving family, community, faith-based, local businesses, and other community resources.

Question

Based on an analysis of prior research, it is hypothesized that school-based interventions are more effective when they involve partnerships with other social institutions ranging from parental involvement to private sector intervention. This project will be an intervention program using several local resources to ask the question: How can communities foster healthy lifestyles for children by creating a normative culture that discourages junk food and encourages an active lifestyle? The work will be approached systematically with a longitudinal study. Ideally, public policy researchers will learn that the best approaches to reducing childhood obesity involve changes to the normative culture and structure of the community. Simply teaching children about nutrition is not going to result in meaningful change.

Significance

This work is important because obesity is a major threat. It is an ethical problem, impacting the quality of life of Americans. Obesity threatens to undermine national security and national intelligence, and obesity certainly has a high price tag as obesity is a leading cause of preventative illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

Overview of Approach

The approach to the research will be from systems theory. No social institution exists in isolation of any other institution. Schools are integral to their community, and parents and local businesses need to recognize their responsibility in promoting child health. The techniques used to address the problem include active engagement with community and business leaders. Strategic partnerships will be rooted in pragmatism, ensuring that all stakeholders receive returns on their investment.

Data Analysis

In addition to the MANOVA and ANOVA statistical analysis on the quantitative metrics, this study will also rely on qualitative data. This data will include surveys garnering impressions from parents, teachers, residents, and business owners. It is expected that over the ten-year span of the study, more students are walking or riding their bicycles to school, more parents are walking and riding their bikes to work, and fewer people are eating fast food. The actual weight and body metrics will likewise reflect changes in lifestyle championed by the school-based intervention program. Teachers will provide their input on how to alter the program for future students.

Interpretation

Data will be interpreted in terms of systems theory. The school-based intervention program is one that involves the whole community. Therefore, it is important to interview as many people as possible. When interpreting the data, the researchers will control for variables like race, gender, and socio-economic class to investigate the possible interference of such variables on the effectiveness of the program. It will be important to see if there are any cultural variables that need to be included, or if the program needs to be adapted for a more diverse population.

Expected Results

It is expected that when a program designed to combat child obesity includes the community, it will succeed. School -- based interventions do not work in isolation. Kalankis & Moulton (2006) found that such measures as school lunch programs and rote education do not lead to measurable or significant outcomes. It is critical to involve parents, and change parental attitudes toward eating, exercise, and lifestyle. Moreover, it is important to involve city council members and community organizers in making the entire neighborhood more conducive to exercising. Local businesses are needed to spearhead the engagement of consumers in purchasing healthy and locally-made foods as opposed to the processed foods that are culprits of childhood and adult obesity. Tackling obesity is a multi-pronged process that begins with education and ends in practice. Schools are the center point of a child's life, which is why the school becomes the hub for change.