title: The evaluation of Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 to reduce childhood obesity: conceptualization, design, and special challenges.
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.
authors: Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Mail Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. MMPhillips@uams.edu
authors: Martha M
authors: MM
authors: Phillips
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Raczynski
authors: Delia S
authors: DS
authors: West
authors: Leavonne
authors: L
authors: Pulley
authors: Zoran
authors: Z
authors: Bursac
authors: Laura C
authors: LC
authors: Leviton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001131:Arkansas; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D012574:Schools; D055815:Young Adult