Creating community action plans for obesity prevention using the ANGELO (Analysis Grid for Elements Linked to Obesity) Framework

Abstract

Community-based interventions are an important component of obesity prevention efforts. The literature provides little guidance on priority-setting for obesity prevention in communities, especially for socially and culturally diverse populations. This paper reports on the process of developing prioritized, community-participatory action plans for obesity prevention projects in children and adolescents using the ANGELO (Analysis Grid for Elements Linked to Obesity) Framework. We combined stakeholder engagement processes, the ANGELO Framework (scans for environmental barriers, targeted behaviours, gaps in skills and knowledge) and workshops with key stakeholders to create action plans for six diverse obesity prevention projects in Australia (n = 3), New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga from 2002 to 2005. Some sites included sociocultural contextual analyses in the environmental scans. Target groups were under-5-year-olds (Australia), 4-12-year-olds (Australia) and 13-18-year-olds (all four countries). Over 120 potential behavioural, knowledge, skill and environmental elements were identified for prioritization leading into each 2-day workshop. Many elements were common across the diverse cultural communities; however, several unique sociocultural elements emerged in some cultural groups which informed their action plans. Youth were actively engaged in adolescent projects, allowing their needs to be incorporated into the action plans initiating the process of ownership. A common structure for the action plan promoted efficiencies in the process while allowing for community creativity and innovation. The ANGELO is a flexible and efficient way of achieving an agreed plan for obesity prevention with diverse communities. It is responsive to community needs, combines local and international knowledge and creates stakeholder ownership of the action plan.

Tackling the obesity crisis: how do we 'measure up'?

“…The most extensive study using this approach to explore structured changes to the obesogenic environment and as the basis for a range of interventions was carried out in different communities in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Islands 22. The impact was depressingly small, and there was a measure of despair in the conclusion that it was imperative to reach beyond the medical community to wider society to achieve any success 23.…”

Reflections on community-based population health intervention and evaluation for obesity and chronic disease prevention: the Healthy Alberta Communities project

“…Classifying environment by types (physical, economic, political, and socio-cultural), ANGELO frames elements that influence food intake and physical activity. In 2007-2008 we adapted and applied ANGELO workshops (Simmons et al 2009) to help local community stakeholders identify environmental determinants of chronic diseases amenable to intervention in their own communities. We identified community priorities for action to supplement ongoing opportunistic interventions.…”

Exploring obesogenic environments: The design and development of the migrant obesogenic perception of the environment questionnaire (MOPE-Q) using a sample of Iranian migrants in Australia

“…Specifically, the ANGELO framework broadly divides obesogenic environments into two levels (micro/settings and macro/sectors) and four types (physical, economic, policy and socio-cultural). This model has been used over the past 15 years for many different purposes relating to obesogenic environments and it has proved to be very robust [11][12][13]. Thus, the ANGELO is wide in scope, and acknowledges the notion that obesity prevention in migrant populations requires a broad environmental focus on determinants of obesity, beyond the individual level.…”