Effects of a structural intervention and implementation on physical activity among youth in residential children's homes

Gregory M Dominick; Ruth P Saunders; Marsha Dowda; Kelli Kenison; Alexandra E Evans

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.011

Effects of a structural intervention and implementation on physical activity among youth in residential children's homes

Eval Program Plann. 2014 Oct:46:72-9. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.011. Epub 2014 Jun 4.

Authors

Gregory M Dominick¹, Ruth P Saunders², Marsha Dowda³, Kelli Kenison⁴, Alexandra E Evans⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, 26 North College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Electronic address: gdominic@udel.edu.
² Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: rsaunders@sc.edu.
³ Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: mdowda@mailbox.sc.edu.
⁴ Center for Health Services and Policy Research, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 730 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Electronic address: kenison@mailbox.sc.edu.
⁵ Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, 313 East 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701, USA. Electronic address: Alexandra.E.Evans@uth.tmc.edu.

PMID: 24946227
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.011

Abstract

This study reports the effects of a structural intervention, ENRICH (Environmental Interventions in Children's Homes) which targeted the physical and social environment within residential children's homes (RCHs) to increase physical activity (PA) among residents (n=799). Participating RCHs (n=29) were randomized to Early (n=17) or Delayed (n=12) groups from 2004 to 2006 and 2006 to 2008, respectively. Children's PA was measured at three time periods (2004, 2006, 2008). Intent-to-treat analysis revealed no intervention impact on PA. Subsequent analyses used process evaluation data to group organizations into high and low PA-promoting RCHs to compare PA level, controlling for assignment to condition. Organizations with high PA-promoting environments were found to have more active youth. Utility of a comprehensive implementation monitoring plan and the need for formative assessment of organizational capacity is discussed.

Keywords: Foster youth; Implementation monitoring; Physical activity; Process evaluation.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Cross-Over Studies
Female
Goals
Humans
Male
Motor Activity*
North Carolina
Program Evaluation / methods*
Residential Facilities*
Social Environment
South Carolina
Surveys and Questionnaires