Lessons From a Pilot Community-Driven Approach for Obesity Prevention.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health
• Obesity Prevention

Background:

• The Wisconsin Obesity Prevention Initiative piloted a novel community action approach.
• This initiative integrated coalition and community organizing efforts in two counties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe lessons learned from a pilot community action initiative for obesity prevention.
• To evaluate the progress and support mechanisms within the pilot program.

Main Methods:

• Process evaluation from November 2014 to December 2015.
• Reflections from community partners and initiative staff.

Main Results:

• Marathon County: Re-engagement and restructuring of an obesity coalition; community organizing identified poverty and transit as root causes.
• Menominee County: Both approaches highlighted cultural assets for health and links between cultural loss and obesity.

Conclusions:

• Community action for obesity prevention requires context-specific strategies, stakeholder engagement, and external support.
• Coalition action benefits from backbone staff for infrastructure and process facilitation.
• Community organizing fosters resident engagement and leadership development.
• A community-driven systems change model shows potential for enhancing obesity prevention efforts.