title: Process evaluation of the Enabling Mothers toPrevent Pediatric Obesity Through Web-Based Learning and Reciprocal Determinism (EMPOWER) randomized control trial.
abstract: Family-and-home-based interventions are an important vehicle for preventing childhood obesity. Systematic process evaluations have not been routinely conducted in assessment of these interventions. The purpose of this study was to plan and conduct a process evaluation of the Enabling Mothers to Prevent Pediatric Obesity Through Web-Based Learning and Reciprocal Determinism (EMPOWER) randomized control trial. The trial was composed of two web-based, mother-centered interventions for prevention of obesity in children between 4 and 6 years of age. Process evaluation used the components of program fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, context, reach, and recruitment. Categorical process evaluation data (program fidelity, dose delivered, dose exposure, and context) were assessed using Program Implementation Index (PII) values. Continuous process evaluation variables (dose satisfaction and recruitment) were assessed using ANOVA tests to evaluate mean differences between groups (experimental and control) and sessions (sessions 1 through 5). Process evaluation results found that both groups (experimental and control) were equivalent, and interventions were administered as planned. Analysis of web-based intervention process objectives requires tailoring of process evaluation models for online delivery. Dissemination of process evaluation results can advance best practices for implementing effective online health promotion programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA aknowlden@ches.ua.edu.
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Knowlden
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion & Education Program and Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care
keywords: evaluation methods; formative evaluation; process evaluation; quantitative evaluation; summative evaluation