PACO IIIAruba, 5 – 7 June 2013

EPODE Population based interventions and Childhood Obesity Prevention

Prof. em. Jan VinckHasselt University (Belgium)

Epode International Network

• Aims: support community based programs for prevention of (childhood) obesity

• 4 pillars– political involvement– dual intervention approach– Public-private participation– Scientific basis for intervention and evaluation

This presentation

“Methodology” : some fundamental aspects- why a community based approach?- implication 1: a dual intervention approach- implication 2: the role of the local project manager

Why a community-based approach? (1)

• Behavior not in a vacuum• Behavior is function of situation, of “behavioral context”

– physical– social– cultural– cost/benefit (reinforcment structure)

• We live in an “obesogenic” environment• Changing to healthy behavior in this context is maladapted difficult, non-rewarding and not durable

Why a community-based approach? (2°

environment has to be adapted to support and maintain long term healthy behavior

“community” is most interesting environment: - concrete, - involves larger populations- involves relevant actors that control relevant aspects of

environment

Implication 1

We need a dual intervention approach

– social marketing (Dennis Edell)

– an environmental approach: change relevant aspects of the environment

• physical• social• cultural• reinforcement structure (cost/benefit of behavior)

Implication 2

The central role of the local project manager (LPM)

1. LPM appointed by local political authority acts on behalf of the legitimate authority

2. LPM works in direct contact with relevant local actors/stakeholders

Role of LPM

Adaptation of interventions to local situation and population:

- identify relevant populations/subgroups - identify relevant actors (control relevant aspects of

environment)- mobilize these actors- inspire local action- organize collaboration

Common difficulties for LPM’s

• time

• heterogeneous background– behavioral science– skills for community action– skills for project management

Support from EIN

• National/regional management– training + support – preparation of materials for campaigns– (media) visibility

• EIN– scientific basis– evaluation methodology (“bottom-up”)– taxonomy

Proposal

An EIN training center for LPM and/or scientific program advisors

summer school?research institute?post-graduate course?

Thank you