Impact of Let's Go! 5-2-1-0: a community-based, multisetting childhood obesity prevention program

Abstract

Objective: Document the impact of Let's Go!, a multisetting community-based childhood obesity prevention program on participants in 12 communities in Maine.

Methods: The study used repeated random telephone surveys with 800 parents of children to measure awareness of messages and child behaviors. Surveys were conducted in schools, child care programs, and afterschool programs to track changes in policies and environments.

Results: Findings show improvements from 2007 to 2011: Children consuming fruits and vegetables increased from 18%, 95% CI [15, 21], to 26% [23, 30] (p < .001); children limiting sugary drinks increased from 63% [59, 67] to 69% [65, 73] (p = .011); and parent awareness of the program grew from 10% [7, 12] to 47% [43, 51] (p < .001). Participating sites implemented widespread changes to promote healthy behaviors.

Conclusions: A multisetting, community-based intervention with a consistent message can positively impact behaviors that lead to childhood obesity.

Keywords: health education; health promotion and prevention; obesity; public health.