Childhood Obesity Prevention Programmes In Penrith, NSW

Program Design and Evaluation

Obesity has been defined as a condition that is characterized by being overweight with a basal metabolism rate of approximately 30kg/m²[1]. Sedentary lifestyle, heavy consumption of junk food and minimal physical exercise has been attributed to be the major cause of the prevalence of obesity [2]. According to the statistical facts and figures, it has been stated that the Australian children between the age group of 5 to 17 years are 20.2% overweight and 17.3% obese. [7]. Obesity has been found to be more prevalent in the suburbs and remote areas. This paper would focus on the sample size of obese children aged between 5-17 years, based at the city of Penrith, located in the suburbs of NSW.  The paper would further design effective interventions in order to deal with the issue of reduced consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among the children so as to ensure a healthy dietary intake.

The prime objective of the obesity prevention program would proceed with the designing of awareness schemes. It is proposed that this would be done by organizing health camps across 8 major locations of the city. The rationale behind the conduction of wellness camps across 8 major locations of the city includes the availability of the schools across these locations that hosts maximum student strength. Organizing the wellness camps would require collaborating with different organizations at the community, organization, interpersonal and individual level. The organizations at various levels would be effectively convinced for partnership by means of informative presentation briefing the highlights of the wellness program [4]. Further, informative brochures and posters would also help in outlining the objectives and the rational of the program [6]. The program coordinator would effectively highlight the objectives of the program and brief the administrating bodies about the planned framework through an informative power point presentation. This would help in convincing the organizations and seeking theirsupport in order to arrange the camps. Support in the form of financial grant and permission to conduct the camps would be sought from the organizations. The informative presentation would highlight the details of the program along with the rationale so as to create a clear picture about the objectives and the expected outcome of the program [9]. In addition to this, advertising on social media and newspapers would also help in promoting the objectives of the community program and seeking support from various non-government organizations and health care organizations for collaboration [7]. Also, potential health care organizations that could offer partnership and aid would be contacted through emails that would elaborate the minutes of the camp, the rationale and the required resources in order to conduct the camp in a successful manner [9]. The targeted locations where the camps would be conducted would also be contacted officially and only after obtaining a formal allowance, the further procedures would be taken care of.

Smart Objectives

Every successful program management depends upon the strength and the feasibility of the designed objectives [3]. In order to successfully organize the health awareness camps throughout the city a smart goal with defined objectives would be set. Further in order to access the success rate of the program, qualitative interviews and surveys would be conducted so as to measure the level of impact created by the program in the prevention of obesity among children.

The smart goal designed in order to reduce the prevalence of obesity in the children belonging to the age group of 5 to 17 years of age, based upon the health statistics of the city of Penrith would broadly comprise of promotion of a healthy diet and modification of the sedentary lifestyle popular among the children [7].  The smart goal would also include the increase in fresh vegetable and fruit consumption and inclusion of physical fitness routine so as to reform the high calorie intake of the children and prevent them from turning obese.

The smart objectives that have been designed for the program has been represented in a tabular form below and incorporates specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound objectives.

Hence, from the smart objectives it can be deduced that the wellness camps would focus on altering the quality of life style and at the same time incorporating a healthy dietary intake so as to reduce the prevalence of obesity among the children belonging to the age group of 5 to 17years. The time frame required to attain the objectives would comprise of 36 months.

The strategies that have been undertaken in order to proceed with the health campaign includes rationale found in research papers [10]. Obesity in children aged between 5 to 17 years in a serious concern and it is mandatory for the government to incorporate measures in order to address the seriousness of the problem. It is important to note here that the target audience that are being dealt with under this health program includes children and that requires paying special attention to the target group [12]. Reform in government policies such as monitoring the food quality that is being offered in schools can help in controlling the calorie value consumed by the children [13]. Further, as stated by scientific studies, education about the complicated consequences of developing obesity can help in motivating the children to participate in health and wellness camps. Educators must actively engage in briefing the children about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle [15]. The government could adopt measures to create a healthy environment by imposing a ban on the sale of unhealthy junk food that are the ultimate source of causing obesity in children.

Compliance

The evaluation methodology that has been already discussed in the former section of the assignment, incorporate methods that have been suggested by researchers in order to conduct a valid evaluation plan. According to research studies, it has been mentioned that evaluation is best understood from survey and interview responses [11]. The health camp strategy that has been chalked out includes survey response, questionnaires and qualitative interview sessions as the methods to gather feedback from the individuals participating in the plans [14]. Further, strategies that require establishment of recreation centers and sporting club would be evaluated based upon follow up initiated by the primary health care officer. Therefore, it can be expected that on stringently complying with the evaluation strategies, an effective health promotion campaign can be organized that would help in minimizing obesity to the maximum.

The success rate of a project depends upon the rate of sustainability [8]. The key components that determine the fate of a sustainable project depends upon the stakeholders involved in the project and the effective decision making process [15]. Further it should also be highlighted that effective sustainability of a program is dependent upon the effective planning and management of the program [15]. Constant monitoring and evaluation is also required to ensure that the program is feasible and is under constant supervision [16]. The health promotion campaign would be evaluated by an autonomous committee that would comprise of representatives from the government and non-government health organizations and the program coordinator [12]. Further, it should also be critically mentioned that on completion of the project, a supervisory board would monitor the success rate of the project and take a decision whether or not to continue the project and approach the funding organizations to obtain financial grant.

A good governance strategy depends upon several constituents that comprise of factors such as participation, ethical consideration, transparency and responsiveness [15]. In addition to this, factors such as consensus orientation, equity, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and creating a strategic vision is also important in order to ensure good governance strategy [16]. It is important to make sure that the strategic vision of the community program is constructed based upon long term goals that would help in promoting continuous development. The community program that has been designed comprises of short term and long term goals which would be evaluated by an autonomous governing committees.The governing committee would be responsible for evaluating the health camps organized across all the locations. Further, a quality assurance team would monitor the performance level of the professionals working across the camps and ensure that proper service is being provided. An accounts department would be responsible for managing the funding obtained from the government as well as the non-government organizations and use it in a strategic manner so as to include appropriate resources for the successful implementation of the obesity prevention program. It is expected that after the completion of 36 months, there would be a reduction in the incidence of obesity among children and at the same time the children would be motivated to lead a healthy and active life style.

Justification of Choice of Strategies

References:

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