A new study identifies evidence-based healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity strategies related to obesity prevention in large local health department Community Health Improvement Plans.
Dupuis R, Reiner JF, Silver S, Barrett JL, Daly JG, Lee RM, Gortmaker SL, Cradock AL. Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Community Health Improvement Plans from Large Local Health Departments. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2023 Sep-Oct 01;29(5):640-645. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001778. Epub 2023 Jun 20.
ABSTRACT
We sought to identify evidence-based healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity strategies related to obesity prevention in large local health department (LHD) Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). We analyzed the content of the most recent, publicly available plans from 72 accredited LHDs serving a population of at least 500 000 people. We matched CHIP strategies to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps’ What Works for Health (WWFH) database of interventions. We identified 739 strategies across 55 plans, 62.5% of which matched a “WWFH intervention” rated for effectiveness on diet and exercise outcomes. Among the 20 most commonly identified WWFH interventions in CHIPs, 10 had the highest evidence for effectiveness while 4 were rated as likely to decrease health disparities according to WWFH. Future prioritization of strategies by health agencies could focus on strategies with the strongest evidence for promoting healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity outcomes and reducing health disparities.
FUNDING
This study was supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP001946 and U48DP006376). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or The JPB Foundation.