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Objective: There is a broad array of health equity policy actions that may be important for addressing social determinants of obesity. The objective of this study was to identify local policy actions most salient for addressing health equity among practitioners, policymakers, and researchers active in obesity. Methods: We surveyed 195 participants in August-November 2020, including US public health practitioners, local policymakers, and researchers active in obesity policy or health equity. We asked them to select the most important health equity policy actions and rate them for potential impact and feasibility. Results: Living wage and access to early education scored highly across 3 dimensions of importance, potential impact, and feasibility among 3 of the 4 groups -- local public service employees and policymakers, academics, and others. Local public service employees and policymakers also rated expanded childcare and job/skills training programs highly across all 3 dimensions. Respondents rated policy actions higher for potential impact than feasibility. Conclusions: We present novel, timely findings for prioritizing health equity policy actions for addressing obesity at the local level. Several policy actions not typically considered in obesity research were identified as salient by groups relevant to local obesity policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ContextTheories and frameworks (hereafter called models) enhance dissemination and implementation (D&I) research by making the spread of evidence-based interventions more likely. This work organizes and synthesizes these models by (1) developing an inventory of models used in D&I research; (2) synthesizing this information; and (3) providing guidance on how to select a model to inform study design and execution.Evidence acquisitionThis review began with commonly cited models and model developers and used snowball sampling to collect models developed in any year from journal articles, presentations, and books. All models were analyzed and categorized in 2011 based on three author-defined variables: construct flexibility, focus on dissemination and/or implementation activities (D/I), and the socioecologic framework (SEF) level. Five-point scales were used to rate construct flexibility from broad to operational and D/I activities from dissemination-focused to implementation-focused. All SEF levels (system, community, organization, and individual) applicable to a model were also extracted. Models that addressed policy activities were noted.Evidence synthesisSixty-one models were included in this review. Each of the five categories in the construct flexibility and D/I scales had at least four models. Models were distributed across all levels of the SEF; the fewest models (n=8) addressed policy activities. To assist researchers in selecting and utilizing a model throughout the research process, the authors present and explain examples of how models have been used.ConclusionsThese findings may enable researchers to better identify and select models to inform their D&I work.

Background: An environment that supports healthy eating is one factor to prevent obesity. However, little is known about postpartum teen's perceptions of their home and school environments and how this relates to dietary behaviors. Purpose: This study explores the relationship between home and school environments and dietary behaviors for postpartum teens. Design: Conducted cross-sectionally during 2007-2009 across 27 states and included 889 postpartum teens enrolled in Parents as Teachers Teen Program. Data included measures of sociodemographics and perceptions of school and home food environments. A 7-day recall of snack and beverage frequency assessed dietary behaviors. Logistic regression explored associations between baseline environment measures and dietary behaviors at baseline and postintervention (approximately 5 months after baseline) for the control group. Results: Respondents reported greater access and selection (i.e., variety of choices) of healthy foods and beverages at home than school. At baseline, fruit and vegetable intake was associated with home selection (1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.3, 2.9]) and availability (1.8, 95% CI [1.3, 2.6]), sweet snack consumption was associated with selection (1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.1]), and total snack consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage intake were associated with selection (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.5, 3.0]; beverage: 1.7, 95% CI [1.2, 2.4]) and availability (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.4, 3.1]; beverage: 1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.3]). Water intake at baseline and at the postintervention for control group teens was associated with selection (1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.2]). No significant associations were identified between the school environment and dietary behaviors. Conclusions: Interventions should target improvements in the home environment for high-risk, postpartum teens.

Background: To assess how perceptions of the community built environment influence support for community policies that promote physical activity (PA). Methods: A national cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of the local built environment and support of community policies, including school and workplace policies, promoting PA. A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in US counties selected on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for high or low prevalence of obesity and inactivity. A total of 1208 subjects were interviewed, 642 from high-prevalence counties and 566 from low-prevalence counties. Analyses were stratified by county prevalence of obesity and inactivity (high or low). Linear models adjusted for covariates were constructed to assess the influence of built environment perceptions on policy support. Results: Perception of more destinations near the residence was associated with increased support for community policies that promote PA, including tax increases in low-prevalence (obesity and inactivity) counties (P < .01). Positive perception of the workplace environment was associated (P < .001) with increased support for workplace policies among those in high-, but not low-, prevalence counties. Conclusions: Support for community policies promoting PA varies by perception of the built environment, which has implications for policy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop priorities through stakeholder engagement to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the professional careers of women engaged in diabetes research, education, and care. Research Design and Methods: This study used concept mapping, a mixed-methods, multistep process, to generate a conceptual map of recommendations through the following steps: 1) identify stakeholders and develop the focus prompt, 2) generate ideas through brainstorming, 3) structure ideas through sorting and rating on priority and likelihood, 4) analyze the data and create a cluster map, and 5) interpret and use results. Results: Fifty-two participants completed the brainstorming phase, and 24 participated in sorting and rating. The final concept map included seven clusters. Those rated as highest priority were to ensure supportive workplace culture (μ = 4.43); promote practices to achieve gender parity in hiring, workload, and promotion (μ = 4.37); and increase funding opportunities and allow extensions (μ = 4.36). Conclusion: This study identified recommendations for institutions to better support women engaged in diabetes-related work to alleviate the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their careers. Some areas were rated as high in priority and high in likelihood, such as ensuring a supportive workplace culture. In contrast, family-friendly benefits and policies were rated as high in priority but low in likelihood of being implemented; these may take more effort to address, including coordinated efforts within institutions (e.g., women's academic networks) and professional societies to promote standards and programs that advance gender equity in medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate a home-based intervention targeted toward parents to improve vegetable intake in preschool-aged children. Methods: Four-month feasibility study of home-based intervention consisting of 4 tailored newsletters and 2 motivational phone calls compared to control; 4 children's books for the control group; and measured pre and post parent-reported physical and social home environment and child vegetable intake in 22 intervention and 21 control homes with a child 2-5 years old assessed with linear regression of group predicting home environment and diet characteristics post-intervention, adjusting for baseline (P less than 0.05 significant). Results: Intervention increased availability of vegetables (+1.5 plus or minus 2.5 vegetable types vs -0.3 plus or minus 2.7 vegetable types, P = 0.02), offering fruits and vegetables for snacks (+0.95 +/- 1.5 d/wk vs -0.05 plus or minus 1.9 d/wk, P = 0.04), and self-efficacy (+2.4 plus or minus 4.1 vs -0.3 plus or minus 2.0, P = 0.02). Conclusions and Implications: The data suggest potential for home-based interventions to alter parent behaviors such as feeding practices and the home physical environment, which may be steps toward increasing vegetable intake in children. (Contains 3 tables.)