title: "Champion" behavior in a community obesity reduction program: Feedback from peers.
abstract: Current interventions to reduce obesity have limited success. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of successful champions (non health professional/community leaders) and to assess how these relate to acceptability ratings of an obesity reduction intervention-the Waist Disposal Challenge. A total of 200 peer participants completed questionnaires. Positive ratings of champions' performance were significantly correlated with perceptions of the success and suitability of the Waist Disposal Challenge. The qualitative feedback concurred that the program prompted weight loss and was a positive social experience which resulted in actual behavioral changes. Selecting suitable champions is likely to influence the success of such community health programs.
authors.affiliation: 1 Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.affiliation: 1 Curtin University, Australia.|2 Newcastle University, UK.
authors.forename: Kirby
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sainsbury
authors.affiliation: 1 Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.affiliation: 1 Curtin University, Australia.|3 The University of Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Shaouli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: behavioral change; champions; nutrition; obesity reduction; physical activity; weight loss