News from CDC (summer 2011)—translating knowledge to program action for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity interventions

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) focuses on supporting healthy eating and active living through policy and environmental changes where Americans live, work, learn, and play. Within DNPAO, the Program Development and Translation Team (PDATT)-a cross-disciplinary team of behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, physical activity specialists, and public health educators-works to identify, synthesize, and disseminate evidence- and practice-based interventions to state-funded programs. In addition to the translation efforts of PDATT, DNPAO provides external funding to the Center for Training and Research Translation to translate and disseminate evidence-informed interventions and train practitioners to adapt and implement obesity-prevention interventions

News from CDC (summer 2011)—translating knowledge to program action for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity interventions

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) focuses on supporting healthy eating and active living through policy and environmental changes where Americans live, work, learn, and play. Within DNPAO, the Program Development and Translation Team (PDATT)—a cross-disciplinary team of behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, physical activity specialists, and public health educators—works to identify, synthesize, and disseminate evidence- and practice-based interventions to state-funded programs. In addition to the translation efforts of PDATT, DNPAO provides external funding to the Center for Training and Research Translation to translate and disseminate evidence-informed interventions and train practitioners to adapt and implement obesity-prevention interventions

Beyond Effectiveness: Evaluating the Public Health Impact of the WISEWOMAN Program

Interventions that are effective are often improperly or only partially implemented when put into practice. When intervention programs are evaluated, feasibility of implementation and effectiveness need to be examined. Reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance make up the RE-AIM framework used to assess such programs. To examine the usefulness of this metric, we addressed 2 key research questions. Is it feasible to operationalize the RE-AIM framework using women’s health program data? How does the determination of a successful program differ if the criterion is (1) effectiveness alone, (2) reach and effectiveness, or (3) the 5 dimensions of the RE-AIM framework? Findings indicate that it is feasible to operationalize the RE-AIM concepts and that RE-AIM may provide a richer measure of contextual factors for program success compared with other evaluation approaches

Patterns in Child and Adolescent Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables: Effects of Gender and Ethnicity across Four Sites

Objectives: Few studies have examined the association of gender and ethnicity with fruit and vegetable consumption. We examined these associations using baseline data from four school-based sites funded under the National Cancer Institute’s 5 A Day for Better Health Program. Methods: Diet was measured using 24-hour recalls at three sites and seven-day food records at one site. Demographics were obtained via self-report or school records. Regression analyses for clustered data were employed with fruit and vegetables combined and fruit and vegetables separately. Results: Girls ate more fruit, more vegetables and more fruit and vegetables combined than boys at the Georgia site. Ethnicity was significant in two sites: In Georgia, African-Americans ate more fruit and more fruit and vegetables combined than European-Americans; in Minnesota, Asian-American/Pacific Islanders and African-Americans ate more fruit than European-Americans, and European-Americans and African-Americans ate more vegetables than Asian-Americans. No significant effects were found at the Alabama or Louisiana sites. Conclusions: Ethnicity was related to fruit and vegetable consumption in Georgia and Minnesota. Consistent with prior studies, gender was related to fruit and vegetable consumption, with girls consuming more servings than boys; however, this was observed at one site only, Georgia. Consumption levels were similar to national estimates for children and varied by region. Further studies are needed using a single methodology to facilitate regional comparisons

Randomized trial of a clinic-based, community-supported, lifestyle intervention to improve physical activity and diet: The North Carolina enhanced WISEWOMAN project

Objective To determine if a clinic-based behavioral intervention program for low-income mid-life women that emphasizes use of community resources will increase moderate intensity physical activity (PA) and improve dietary intake. Methods Randomized trial conducted from May 2003 to December 2004 at one community health center in Wilmington, NC. A total of 236 women, ages 40–64, were randomized to receive an Enhanced Intervention (EI) or Minimal Intervention (MI). The EI consisted of an intensive phase (6 months) including 2 individual counseling sessions, 3 group sessions, and 3 phone calls from a peer counselor followed by a maintenance phase (6 months) including 1 individual counseling session and 7 monthly peer counselor calls. Both phases included efforts to increase participants' use of community resources that promote positive lifestyle change. The MI consisted of a one-time mailing of pamphlets on diet and PA. Outcomes, measured at 6 and 12 months, included the comparison of moderate intensity PA between study groups as assessed by accelerometer (primary outcome) and questionnaire, and dietary intake assessed by questionnaire and serum carotenoids (6 months only). Results For accelerometer outcomes, follow-up was 75% at 6 months and 73% at 12 months. Though moderate intensity PA increased in the EI and decreased in the MI, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.45; multivariate model, p = 0.08); however, moderate intensity PA assessed by questionnaire (92% follow-up at 6 months and 75% at 12 months) was greater in the EI (p = 0.01; multivariate model, p = 0.001). For dietary outcomes, follow-up was 90% for questionnaire and 92% for serum carotenoids at 6 months and 74% for questionnaire at 12 months. Dietary intake improved more in the EI compared to the MI (questionnaire at 6 and 12 months, p < 0.001; serum carotenoid index, p = 0.05; multivariate model, p = 0.03). Conclusion The EI did not improve objectively measured PA, but was associated with improved self-reported and objective measures of dietary intake