title: Online course increases nutrition professionals' knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of an online continuing education course on the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of nutrition professionals to use an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental design using intervention and delayed intervention comparison groups with pre/post-course assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online continuing education course.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nutrition and health professionals in an online course (n = 105) and a delayed intervention comparison group (n = 37).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 6-week, facilitated online course titled, Preventing Childhood Obesity: An Ecological Approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in using an ecological approach to address childhood obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired and independent sample t tests, factor analysis, regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In contrast to a comparison group, nutrition and health professionals who participated in a 6-week online course had statistically significant increases (P < .01) in their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy related to using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A facilitated online course can be effective at increasing the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of community-based nutrition and health professionals in using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity in their communities.
authors: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. cms11@cornell.edu
authors: Christina M
authors: CM
authors: Stark
authors: Meredith L
authors: ML
authors: Graham-Kiefer
authors: Carol M
authors: CM
authors: Devine
authors: Jamie S
authors: JS
authors: Dollahite
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Olson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004496:Education, Continuing; D020375:Education, Distance; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*