title: Measuring success in obesity prevention: a synthesis of Health Promotion Switzerland's long-term monitoring and evaluation strategy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since 2007, Health Promotion Switzerland has implemented a national priority program for a healthy body weight. This article provides insight into the methodological challenges and results of the program evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of the long-term program required targeted monitoring and evaluation projects addressing different outcome levels. The evaluation was carried out according to the Swiss Model for Outcome Classification (SMOC), a model designed to classify the effects of health promotion and prevention efforts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results presented in this article emphasize both content and methods. The national program successfully achieved outcomes on many different levels within complex societal structures. The evaluation system built around the SMOC enabled assessment of program progress and the development of key indicators. However, it is not possible to determine definitively to what extent the national program helped stabilize the prevalence of obesity in Switzerland.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model has shown its utility in providing a basis for evaluation and monitoring of the national program. Continuous analysis of data from evaluation and monitoring has made it possible to check the plausibility of suspected causal relationships as well as to establish an overall perspective and assessment of effectiveness supported by a growing body of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Switzerland, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirschner
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guggenbühl
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klohn
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mattig
mesh_terms: D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013557:Switzerland