Characterizing the EPODE logic model: unravelling the past and informing the future

Abstract

SummaryEPODE ('Ensemble Prévenons l'Obésité De Enfants' or 'Together let's Prevent Childhood Obesity') is a large-scale, centrally coordinated, capacity-building approach for communities to implement effective and sustainable strategies to prevent childhood obesity. Since 2004, EPODE has been implemented in over 500 communities in six countries. Although based on emergent practice and scientific knowledge, EPODE, as many community programs, lacks a logic model depicting key elements of the approach. The objective of this study is to gain insight in the dynamics and key elements of EPODE and to represent these in a schematic logic model. EPODE's process manuals and documents were collected and interviews were held with professionals involved in the planning and delivery of EPODE. Retrieved data were coded, themed and placed in a four-level logic model. With input from international experts, this model was scaled down to a concise logic model covering four critical components: political commitment, public and private partnerships, social marketing and evaluation. The EPODE logic model presented here can be used as a reference for future and follow-up research; to support future implementation of EPODE in communities; as a tool in the engagement of stakeholders; and to guide the construction of a locally tailored evaluation plan.

The Global Burden of Obesity and the Challenges of Prevention

“…Its core, however, is a local approach targeting families and schools in neighborhoods. Van Koperen et al [23] described the methodology in the form of a concise logic model (fig. 2) covering four critical components: political commitment, public and private partnerships, social marketing and evaluation.…”

“…Methodology of EPODE in the form of a concise logic model covering four critical components: political commitment, public and private partnerships, social marketing and evaluation (source: Van Koperen et al [23]; reproduced with permission from Wiley Publishers).…”

Creating a collective impact on childhood obesity: Lessons from the SCOPE initiative

“…38 Political commitment is a pillar of the EPODE model, where the approach requires political buy-in prior to program initiation. 39 However, as we experienced in community B, such relationships can disappear quickly with political cycles of leadership and shifting priorities. As such, SCOPE has explored more enduring partnerships such as Divisions of Family Practice or 'healthy community partnership tables' that include stakeholders representing multiple sectors, motivated to take collective action to improve the health of children living in their community.…”

“…42 The EPODE model involves knowledge sharing between the central coordination team and communities through the provision of guidelines, resources and best practices. 39 Unique to SCOPE is its KTE linking system that supports continuous communication between 'Live 5-2-1-0' communities, allowing new communities to learn from existing ones and customize their own initiative without having to begin anew. SCOPE's online resource map (http://www.live5210.ca/resources/) offers Live 5-2-1-0 resources freely available and formatted to allow integration of local information while maintaining evidencebased content.…”

An accountability framework to promote healthy food environments

“…Some have formed alliances and partnerships at global (43) , regional (44)(45)(46)(47) and national (48)(49)(50) levels by committing to food product reformulation or developing new products with healthier nutrient profiles by reducing salt, energy and saturated fat, and eliminating transfats (43)(44)(45)(47)(48)(49)(50) ; implementing community-based obesity prevention programmes (45,46) ; providing nutrition information, out-of-home energy (calorie) and front-of-package labelling to inform marketplace purchases (43,(49)(50)(51) ; and improving the quality of foods advertised and marketed to children and adolescents (43,45,52,53) (Table 1). Industry alliances and companies also have disseminated reports outlining their accomplishments (48,54) or contracted third-party auditors to assess, verify and report on their performance for more contested issues (55,56) .…”