Dynamics of Obesity Intervention Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance

Virginia Polytechnic Inst And St Univ, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims at understanding how effectiveness of organizational level chronic disease interventions depends on dynamics of adoption, implementation and maintenance. To this end we will develop and test system dynamics simulation models of four obesity prevention interventions and parameterize them in eight empirical cases (two programs for each intervention). Building on these models a generic model of intervention implementation will be developed that can be applied to a wide array of public health interventions. Finally, an educational simulation-based game and a few written resources will be developed and pilot tested in collaboration with the Center for Training and Research Translation to assist in training stakeholders in implementing one of the studied interventions. The efficacy of lifestyle interventions aimed at obesity and related chronic diseases such as diabetes are well established. Overall effectiveness of these interventions, however, relies not only on the average efficacy of a generic intervention, but also on the successful adoption, implementation, and maintenance of each instance of that intervention (i.e. each program) within the responsible organizational and community context. Typically a lot of research goes into measuring and establishing the average efficacy of idealized interventions in controlled settings. However, in practice much variability in overall effectiveness of interventions arises from variations in Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (AIM) in various settings. Understanding the sources of variation in AIM is therefore central to enhancing the effectiveness of existing interventions and designing more effective new interventions. To this end the current study focuses on developing a detailed understanding, as well as grounded simulation models which will be validated using multiple sources of data and tests. Development of a generic model will be pursued to extend the findings from the studied cases to a broader range of interventions. Policy analysis using the models will inform policy conclusions from the study. Moreover a simulation based learning environment and other training material will also be developed to maximize the broader impact of the research. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This study will develop and test system dynamics simulation models of four obesity prevention interventions and parameterize them in eight empirical cases (two programs for each intervention). Building on these models a generic model of intervention implementation will be developed that can be applied to a wide array of public health interventions and policy analysis using the models will inform policy conclusions from the study. Finally, an educational simulation-based game and a few written resources will be developed and pilot tested in collaboration with the Center for Training and Research Translation to assist in training stakeholders in implementing one of the studied interventions.