title: Contribution of formative research to design an environmental program for obesity prevention in schools in Mexico City.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes the methods and key findings of formative research conducted to design a school-based program for obesity prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formative research was based on the ecological model and the principles of social marketing. A mixed method approach was used. Qualitative (direct observation, indepth interviews, focus group discussions and photo-voice) and quantitative (closed ended surveys, checklists, anthropometry) methods were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Formative research key findings, including barriers by levels of the ecological model, were used for designing a program including environmental strategies to discourage the consumption of energy dense foods and sugar beverages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formative research was fundamental to developing a context specific obesity prevention program in schools that seeks environment modification and behavior change.
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: Anabelle
authors: A
authors: Bonvecchio
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: Florence L
authors: FL
authors: Théodore
authors: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canadá
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Safdie
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: Tiffany
authors: T
authors: Duque
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: María Ángeles
authors: MÁ
authors: Villanueva
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: Catalina
authors: C
authors: Torres
authors: Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Rivera
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages; D002648:Child; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008800:Mexico; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012107:Research Design; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012922:Social Change; D012931:Social Environment; D040241:Social Marketing