LA+1B

- To increase healthy eating and lifestyle choices among school aged children and their families/community Don't forget to specify your target population when describing the nature of your change (i.e. yes, you want to increase healthy eating but the primary objective is to decrease the incidence of childhood obesity) - data to include: what is obesity, current obesity rate, co-morbidities associated with childhood obesity, barriers to healthy lifestyle including determinants of health (ex. income) All excellent suggestions. A few others include the ages of children most predominantly afflicted so that you can determine at which age to intervene and provides data to back up your plan. Also, find out what programs exist, what has been tried in the past, what worked, what didn't...what is in place that contributes to the problem? - //Unfreezing (Preparation for change):// gather info- current eating practices, activity level, readiness to change Consider all factors: money, time, single parents, knowledge of healthy lifestyle (knowledge gaps and misinformation) Communicate awareness: meetings and collaboration with members of school district, parents, kids, teachers Who will be affected: children, parents, teachers, school stakeholders - also the ministry of health, health authority, etc are invested in this project so is there a potential here for a pilot project that can be expanded and what budget is available? //-Movement//: Goal is to increase healthy living among children and families through school based initiatives Areas of support: Parents, healthcare providers, teachers and children * these can also be areas of resistance - very good observation that your sources of support may also act as resistance. Sources of power: Government (budget restrictions), change agents ( teachers, parents and school district) Time: over the course of the school year -Refreezing: Continuing support and ongoing evaluation via weekly to monthly check ins (gradually to fade out as change is implemented).
 * LA 1B - May 9th, 2012 **
 * 1. Clearly articulate what the nature of your change is;**
 * 2. Collect data to support your decision to create a change;**
 * 3. Use Lewin’s Change Theory to guide what steps you will follow in pursuing your change project**;

- Bringing the issue to the forefront of concern by identifying the obesity rate, sharing knowledge of the longterm consequences ( good = magnitude of the issue ) of childhood obesity and what can initiatives can prevent it. This can be done through a meeting or school assembly. Make the change gradual, fun & engaging for the kids in order to descrease resistance to change & increase longterm compliance. Yes, engaging the kids is key!
 * 4. Determine how you might share your vision for change and engage your stakeholders;**
 * 5. Apply Lewin’s Force Field Analysis to your project, and identify potential strategies to shift the equilibrium in a favourable direction.**
 * Driving Forces:** Healthier children, healthier community, decreased health care spending over time, attitudes of parents/teachers who put a positive & engaging spin on the project, health authority with a vested interest in longterm health & also if a program becomes mandated
 * Restraining Forces:** Finances & time (healthy foods are usually more expensive & take longer to prepare), attitudes (kids/parents/teachers may be resistant to change at first)