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What Motivates Stakeholder Groups to Focus on Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies?

Lainie Rutkow, Jesse Jones-Smith, Hannah J. Walters, Marguerite O'Hara and Sara N. Bleich.

Objective: Legislators are increasingly interested in preventing childhood obesity, and public policy offers one option to address this epidemic. Broad support is critical to advancing policies on legislators’ agendas, but little is known about what influences relevant organizations to focus on childhood obesity prevention policies. We explored factors that encourage and hinder policy-makers, non-governmental organizations, and academics from focusing on childhood obesity prevention policies.

Methods: From September 2014-April 2015, we conducted semi-structured interviews with individuals from the following groups: policy-makers (n = 12), non-governmental organizations (n = 24), and academics (n = 7). Interviews were conducted with individuals in 19 U.S. states and Washington, DC about facilitators and impediments to their organizations’ focus on childhood obesity prevention policies. Results: Identified facilitators included collaborations and partnerships; funding for programs related to obesity prevention; and available data and related research. An additional facilitator noted by representatives of NGOs was increased awareness of childhood obesity. Impediments included lack of financial resources; influence of the food and beverage industries; and institutional barriers, such as limitations on advocacy for NGOs.

Conclusion: Stakeholder and researcher engagement brings important issues to policy-makers’ attention and raises the profile of proposed legislation. For organizations that promote childhood obesity prevention policies – or are interested in becoming involved in this work – our findings highlight key factors to consider in strategic planning and related processes.