- Childhood obesity rates are at epidemic levels and reversing this trend will require fundamental changes to how we think and act regarding physical activity and healthy eating. - Building a movement is needed to shift social norms and environments to make healthy choices the default. Movements raise issues, build coalitions, educate, advocate, and promote solutions. - Evaluating progress in building a movement involves assessing outcomes like awareness, advocacy networks, media attention, and policy support over time, using both quantitative and qualitative data. The goal is to understand if strategies are accomplishing the intended results toward the long-term vision.

1. Evaluating ChangeKaren HorschEvaluation Consultant

2. We are experiencing epidemic rates of childhood obesity that have long-term consequences for health and well-being of individuals and societyIt’s getting worse, not betterWhat we know:

3. Reversing this trend in a sustained way is going to take fundamental changes to the way we think and act: we cannot program our way out of thisReversing this trend in a sustained way is going to require that we build a movementWhat we know:

4. We need to shift perceptions such that physical activity and healthy eating are the social normWe need to establish environments that make individuals’ default decisions healthyWhat needs to happen:

5. They raise issues of urgency (identify problems)They build a base of interested and motivated individuals and coalitionsThey educate and raise awarenessThey advocate for positive changes in policies and institutionsThey identify and promote promising interventions and programs (show what’s possible)What movements do….

6. How does evaluation fit in?

7. Data about the movement (is the movement moving?)Data to build the movementTwo levels of evaluation when building a movement:

8. So how do we evaluate whether we are building a movement?

9. NOT: What did we accomplish?BUT: Did we accomplish what we set out to accomplish? Why or why not?Start with the right evaluation question:

10. The “theory of change” about how to build a movementLaying out what we hope to accomplish:The Strategies and Interventions The Results we hope to achieve: Short-term

11. Intermediate term

12. Long-termStrategiesCoalition building

13. Grassroots organizing/mobiliz-ation

14. Leadership development

15. Advocacy training

16. Media advocacy

17. Identification & replication of proven programsShort-Term OutcomesIncreased awareness about and prioritization of the issue

18. Strong and diverse network of advocates

19. Strengthened alliances

20. Increased media attention to the issue

21. Established relationships with key decision-makers.Intermediate-Term OutcomesIncreased public and policymaker support for policies and actions that promote positive changes in the issue

22. Actions supporting physical activity and healthy eating:-- more funding-- more programs-- policy change-- changes in institutionsLong-Term OutcomesBehavior changes: increased physical activity and healthy eating and reduced screen time

23. Reductions in obesity rates

24. Improved healthWho the decision makers are

25. Who the public is

26. Who partners might beBeing clear about:

27. Increased awareness about and prioritization of the issue:Information sent out and overall message framing