Using the intervention mapping protocol to develop a community-based intervention for the prevention of childhood obesity in a multi-centre European project: the IDEFICS intervention
2011

Community-Based Intervention for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Europe

Sample size: 1000 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Vera Verbestel, Stefaan De Henauw, Lea Maes, Leen Haerens, Staffan Mårild, Gabriele Eiben, Lauren Lissner, Luis A Moreno, Natalia Lascorz Frauca, Gianvincenzo Barba, Éva Kovács, Kenn Konstabel, Michael Tornaritis, Katharina Gallois, Holger Hassel, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

Primary Institution: Ghent University

Hypothesis

Can a community-based intervention effectively prevent childhood obesity in multiple European countries?

Conclusion

The IDEFICS project successfully developed a community-based intervention framework for preventing childhood obesity that allows for cultural adaptation across different countries.

Supporting Evidence

  • The intervention framework includes ten modules targeting various factors affecting childhood obesity.
  • Focus group research informed the development of the intervention, ensuring it meets local needs.
  • The program allows for cultural adaptations to enhance its effectiveness in different countries.
  • Evaluation plans were developed to assess the effectiveness and quality of the intervention.
  • The project involved collaboration across eight European countries, enhancing its applicability.

Takeaway

This study created a program to help kids not be overweight by getting families, schools, and communities to work together and make healthy choices.

Methodology

The intervention was developed using the intervention mapping protocol, which includes needs assessment, formulation of objectives, selection of methods, program development, adoption planning, and evaluation design.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from cultural adaptations that could influence the intervention's effectiveness.

Limitations

The complexity of the intervention mapping protocol was reduced, which may affect the thoroughness of the intervention.

Participant Demographics

Children aged 3 to 10 years from eight European countries.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5868-8-82

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