EPODE methodology, education in nutrition & childhood obesity prevention Jean-Michel BORYS, MD EPODE European NETWORK Director Paris EIN Seminar, BRUXELLES Nov 2011
EPODE
Introduction EPODE was developed to upscale the encouraging results from a pilot study (1) conducted in Northern France between 1992 and 2004 (FLVS) EPODE (Together let’s prevent childhood obesity) launched in 10 French pilot towns involved in 2004, today more than 500 communities are involved With the support of the EC-DG SANCO, launch of the EPODE European Network ( ) to facilitate the implementation of the EPODE methodology in Europe (2) Today, EPODE International Network’s global mission is to reduce childhood obesity prevalence through sustainable strategies built on Community Based Programmes (CBPs). (1)Romon & Al., Public Health Nutrition, 2009; 12: 1735–1742 (2)Borys & Al. Preventing Childhood Obesity, Lavoisier, 2011, 266p.
EPODE Methodology at a glance EPODE is a coordinated, capacity-building approach for communities EPODE’s goal is to enable community stakeholders to implement effective and sustainable strategies to prevent childhood obesity at the local level By changing the social lifestyle norms and behaviours especially in the field of nutrition and physical activity Encouraging changes in the local environment to be less obesogenic
In each country/region a multi- level and multi-stakeholder approach 5
EPODE Results (1 ) Romon M. & Al., "Downward trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight in the setting of 12-year school- and community-based programmes",Public Health Nutr Dec 23:1-8. (2) Romon M, Duhamel A, Salleron J, Lommez A, Meyer J, Borys JM. Évolution de la prévalence du surpoids et de l’obésité chez les enfants de 4 à 11 ans entre 2005 et 2010 dans les villes « EPODE ». Nutrition clinique et métabolisme. 2010;24(S1):58. Overweight (including obesity) Rate % P < 0,0001 In first EPODE towns (2) Sample size = The mobilisation of the whole community ( ) is the key to decrease the obesity prevalence in children. EPODE results after 5 years of implementation Pilot Study (1) Sample size= 804 Overweight (including obesity) Rate % 6
(1)Romon & Al., Public Health Nutrition, 2009; 12: 1735–1742 Sample size = Upper SES NS Middle SES p< Lower SES p<0.01 CT FLVS The pilot study shows not only that we are able to decrease the obesity prevalence in children but also the inequality of obesity prevalence between the upper and lower SES populations EPODE Pilot study 2/2
Evolution of the number of towns involved in EPODE programs in EUROPE
EPODE Outreach Over 500 cities In 8 Countries Helping 20 Million people EPODE European Network involving 4 major universities EPODE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK’s objective: 40 programmes & countries involved by
10 Sustainable resources (central level) –At central level, to secure the funding of central support services, evaluation and local implementation. –The funding could be public and/or private (PPP)
EPODE European Network
GOAL: European project run from 2008 to 2011 to enrich the EPODE methodology and facilitate the implementation of EPODE-similar programmes in other European countries Supported by the Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission Support from private partners and involvement of 4 Major European Universities
EEN book of recommendations and EPODE Paper in Obesity Reviews Reference Preventing Childhood Obesity, EPODE European Network Recommendations. Borys JM, Le Bodo Y, De Henauw S, Moreno LA, Romon M, Seidell JC, Visscher TLS. Lavoisier. Paris ISBN: Reference EPODE approach for childhood obesity prevention: methods, progress and international development= obr in press JMB (S. Jebb (UK), J. Seidell (NL), B. Swinburn (AUS), D. Richard (CAN), C. Summerbell (UK)) and the Chairs of the EEN committees
EPODE International Network
Mission & Targeted Aim EPODE International Network’s mission is to reduce childhood obesity prevalence through sustainable strategies based on Community Based Programmes (CBPs) Targeted & measurable aim By 2015, the aim is to mobilise key stakeholders in more than 20 countries on 5 continents and support 40 large-scale CBPs - involving more than 400 million people worldwide 15
Members of EPODE International Network 1.Active Members with voting right: -Existing or new large scale and sustainable Community-based Programmes aimed at preventing obesity and/or NCDs 1.Observer Members: -Leading scientific experts involved in obesity & NCDs prevention -Public and Political representatives and policy makers -Civil Society Organisations representatives -Corporate sector including food industry 16
Targeted Results 1.Mobilization of 20 countries by By 2015 increase the number of EIN member CBPs to more than 40 large-scale programmes from around the globe - involving 400 million people worldwide 3.Greater awareness and visibility of EPODE and similar CBPs around the world 4.Greater dialogue between all the multistakeholders at the global level 5.Greater practice sharing: experience and materials 6.Optimised evaluation frameworks for optimised results (decrease in prevalence, decrease in BMI in countries around the world) 7.Increased number of Scientific Publications presenting outputs and outcomes, opportunities and challenges of CBPs for the benefit of the member CBPs around the globe Optimised sustainability of non-stigmatising obesity prevention 17
18 Contacts and websites
Thank you