Developing a Strategy Menu for Community-Level Obesity Prevention

Childhood obesity is a complex problem influenced by policies, systems, and environments, and its prevention requires changes across a range of community settings. To address this, we developed an obesity prevention strategy menu and an ongoing study to pilot its use and provide technical support for its implementation. The strategy menu is comprised of a set of effective approaches communities can use to develop tailored, context-specific health interventions based on local community needs and capacity. It was developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners who reviewed evidence and organized it to incorporate effective policy, systems, and environmental changes for reducing and preventing childhood obesity. Eventually, it will be part of a web-based point of access that complements the foundational relationships built between communities, researchers, and practitioners. By developing a framework to engage communities in the selection and implementation of multisetting obesity prevention strategies, we aim to create and sustain momentum toward a long-term reduction in obesity in Wisconsin children.