TY - JOUR
T1 - An Evaluation of the Peer Helper Component of Go!
T2 - A Multimessage, Multi-"step" Obesity Prevention Intervention
AU - de Souza, Rebecca
AU - Dauner, Kim Nichols
AU - Goei, Ryan
AU - LaCaille, Lara
AU - Kotowski, Michael R.
AU - Schultz, Jennifer Feenstra
AU - LaCaille, Rick
AU - Versnik Nowak, Amy L.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Obesity prevention efforts typically involve changing eating and exercise behaviors as well as the physical and social environment in which those behaviors occur. Due to existing social networks, worksites are a logical choice for implementing such interventions. Purpose This article describes the development and implementation of a peer helper intervention, which was part of a multicomponent obesity prevention program conducted at a hospital worksite. It also presents qualitative evaluation findings of peer helper perceptions, roles, and institutional outcomes. Methods Fifty-one male and female employees were recruited to promote healthy eating and physical activity amongst their peers. They received health and communication skill-building training. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 peer helpers to evaluate this component of the intervention. Results Findings showed that peer helpers took on many helping roles, became effective role models, and contributed to creating health-promoting social and environmental changes at work. Discussion We found evidence for synergies between the peer helper component and other components of the campaign and present recommendations and questions related to best practices for peer helper interventions at worksites. Translation to Health Education Practice Training on the use of peer helpers and the incorporation of peer helper components into interventions is needed. © 2014
AB - Obesity prevention efforts typically involve changing eating and exercise behaviors as well as the physical and social environment in which those behaviors occur. Due to existing social networks, worksites are a logical choice for implementing such interventions. Purpose This article describes the development and implementation of a peer helper intervention, which was part of a multicomponent obesity prevention program conducted at a hospital worksite. It also presents qualitative evaluation findings of peer helper perceptions, roles, and institutional outcomes. Methods Fifty-one male and female employees were recruited to promote healthy eating and physical activity amongst their peers. They received health and communication skill-building training. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 peer helpers to evaluate this component of the intervention. Results Findings showed that peer helpers took on many helping roles, became effective role models, and contributed to creating health-promoting social and environmental changes at work. Discussion We found evidence for synergies between the peer helper component and other components of the campaign and present recommendations and questions related to best practices for peer helper interventions at worksites. Translation to Health Education Practice Training on the use of peer helpers and the incorporation of peer helper components into interventions is needed. © 2014
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84892400368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84892400368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19325037.2013.853001
DO - 10.1080/19325037.2013.853001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84892400368
SN - 1932-5037
VL - 45
SP - 12
EP - 19
JO - American Journal of Health Education
JF - American Journal of Health Education
IS - 1
ER -