title: A map of community-based obesity prevention initiatives in Australia following obesity funding 2009-2013.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is the single biggest public health threat to developed and developing economies. In concert with healthy public policy, multi-strategy, multi-level community-based initiatives appear promising in preventing obesity, with several countries trialling this approach. In Australia, multiple levels of government have funded and facilitated a range of community-based obesity prevention initiatives (CBI), heterogeneous in their funding, timing, target audience and structure. This paper aims to present a central repository of CBI operating in Australia during 2013, to facilitate knowledge exchange and shared opportunities for learning, and to guide professional development towards best practice for CBI practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of government, non-government and community websites was undertaken to identify CBI in Australia in 2013. This was supplemented with data drawn from available reports, personal communication and key informant interviews. The data was translated into an interactive map for use by preventive health practitioners and other parties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 259 CBI; with the majority (84%) having a dual focus on physical activity and healthy eating. Few initiatives, (n=37) adopted a four-pronged multi-strategy approach implementing policy, built environment, social marketing and/or partnership building.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This comprehensive overview of Australian CBI has the potential to facilitate engagement and collaboration through knowledge exchange and information sharing amongst CBI practitioners, funders, communities and researchers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An enhanced understanding of current practice highlights areas of strengths and opportunities for improvement to maximise the impact of obesity prevention initiatives.
authors.affiliation: The CO-OPS Collaboration, Population Health SRC, Deakin University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romanus
authors.forename: Tahna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pettman
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coveney
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allender
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D019058:Community Networks; D005378:Financial Support; D006076:Government; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011640:Public Policy; D040241:Social Marketing
keywords: community-based; obesity prevention; prevention