Cultural and contextual adaptation of a childhood obesitypreventive intervention program

Abstract

This article describes the adaptation of a parent-focused evidence-based childhood obesity interventionprogram for implementation by county-based Extension educators in coordination with school districtpersonnel in rural Pennsylvania. The Lifestyle Positive Parenting Program was designed and evaluated inAustralia in clinical settings. Several minor and more serious adaptations, such as featured recipes and contentof follow-up telephone calls, were made so that the program would be more appropriate for and appealing totarget families. Conceptual issues regarding the adaptation of evidence-based programs are reviewed.