Using RE-AIM to Evaluate the Potential Public Health Impact of a Community-Based Family-Focused Diabetes Prevention Program

Abstract

Overweight and obesity in U.S. children has reached epidemic proportions, affecting one in three of children and adolescents (ages 2 to 19). Chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, previously linked with adult obesity, are now observed in youth. Early intervention is key to reversing this trend. However, successful translation of clinical obesity prevention interventions to the broader community remains a major challenge, in part, due to ineffective adaptation of interventions from controlled clinical settings to more diverse settings. A process evaluation framework - RE-AIM - was used to guide "real world" translation of a family-focused diabetes prevention trial at the YMCA for overweight and obese 9-12-yr-olds (E.P.I.C. Kids), with particular attention paid to factors influencing adoption, implementation, and maintenance by the program by this established community organization. Preliminary evaluation suggested a moderate to high potential for successful implementation and dissemination of the E.P.I.C. Kids program on a larger scale, thereby laying the foundation for replication in other community settings.