eb4CAST: Application of a Novel Forecasting and Footprinting Dissemination Framework to a Community Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Program
Authors: Morris Allison M , Hagedorn Rebecca L , Barr Makenzie L , King Sina J , Famodu Oluremi A , Clark Rashel L , Charlier Camille M , White Adrienne , Colby Sarah E , Kattlemann Kendra , Franzen‐Castle Lisa , Olfert Melissa Diann 
Published: November 2023

Background

Community based interventions have an increased need to report program impact to participants, programs leaders and community stakeholders in order to justify the continued support of furthered programming. To fill this gap, eb4CAST, a novel forecasting and footprinting framework, has been developed to capture program need and impact and translate it into an electronically‐generated, user friendly report for participants, program leaders, researchers and community stake holders.

Objective

To create an eb4CAST program report for the iCook program, a community‐based childhood obesity prevention programs that uses a dyad approach to increase culinary skills, physical activity and family meal time among 9–11 year old children and their primary meal preparer.

Methods

Multiple cohorts of iCook participants contributed to the dissemination of direct and indirect measures of participant and community outcomes through the development of an individualized community infographic. Direct measures of the participant surveys that completed the iCook 4‐H final (8th) wrap‐up session (N=51) were used for final report material on direct iCook outcomes. Indirect outcomes for participant counties were expounded by researchers to show how the program intervention measures relate to county statistics. An evaluation tool of Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) through the use of Community Capitals Framework (CCF) was then used to document impacts, outcomes and changes from the obesity prevention program. Participants across 5 states (N=70) reflected on how the intervention has impacted self, family and community. Combined data from direct and indirect sources were graphically combined in a report to show how this innovative approach of parents and children working together toward a healthier lifestyle has impacted the community.

Results

eB4Cast reports were created for iCook dissemination sites (n=11). Each report had four components: program overview, community profile, program impact and Ripple Effect Mapping. The completed report presented vital information to participants, researchers and community leaders to better understand the impacts iCook 4‐H has had on individual participants, community capitals and program outcomes. This educational material has the capacity to inform community members of their local health status, changes that are currently taking place to improve health outcomes, and how iCook 4‐H's innovative approach of parents and children working together has created a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusions

The application of eb4CAST to iCook demonstrates the feasibility of using a novel forecasting and footprinting tool to create a report of program need and impact that can be disseminated to participants, programs leaders, researchers and community stakeholders.

Support or Funding Information

Approval to use the data set was granted by the West Virginia University Institutional Review Board prior to study implementation.