Abstract
This article describes the evaluation of the Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003, a comprehensive legislative proposal to address the growing epidemic of childhood obesity through changes in the school environment. In addition, the article discusses specific components of the evaluation that may be applicable to other childhood obesity policy evaluation efforts. The conceptual framework for the evaluation, research questions, and evaluation design are described, along with data collection methods and analysis strategies. A mixed methods approach, including both quantitative (surveys, telephone interviews) and qualitative (key informant interviews, records reviews) approaches, was utilized to collect data from a range of informant groups including parents, adolescents, school principals, school district superintendents, and other stakeholders. Challenges encountered with the evaluation are discussed, as are strategies to overcome those challenges. Now in its 9th year, this evaluation has documented substantial changes to school policies and environments but fewer changes to student and family behaviors. The evaluation may inform the methods of other evaluations of childhood obesity prevention policies, as well as inform policymakers about how quickly they might expect implementation of such policies in their own states and localities and anticipate both positive and adverse outcomes.
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References
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This work was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [grant numbers 30930, 51737, 60284, 61551]. The preparation of this manuscript has also been supported by the Arkansas Prevention Research Center (U48 DP001943).
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Phillips, M.M., Raczynski, J.M., West, D.S. et al. The Evaluation of Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 to Reduce Childhood Obesity: Conceptualization, Design, and Special Challenges. Am J Community Psychol 51, 289–298 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-012-9538-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-012-9538-2