Abstract:
This research aimed to develop a community participation model for childhood overweight prevention among elementary school children. This study consisted of 2 steps: step1. The first step was to study the community participation evaluating the level of its engagement. The data was collected from 476 participants who were community leaders, parents, healthcare, school, and municipality in Sena municipality Ayuttaya province. Additionally, twelve key informants were identified and interviewed using a semi-structured method. The interview questions were translated and adapted from the Community Readiness interview questions to assess community readiness. The second step was to develop the community participation model based on the ADDIE process. The data was analyzed by percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation, t-test, and content analysis.
The research results revealed that while the level of community participation was at a medium level (2.50), community members have less knowledge and no awareness on childhood overweight issue. Additionally, the result of community readiness assessment reports the overall community readiness score at 1.62 which was equal to the first stage of readiness (no awareness).
The community participation model was analyzed through 5 stages as follows: 1) community context analyzing, 2) community participation planning, 3) plan implementing, 4) plan evaluating,
and 5) evaluation data summarizing and continue actions. After implementation, the level of community participation was significantly higher than before implementation at p-value .05 and the result of obesity evaluation among elementary school children was significantly lower than previous implementation at p-value .05 In conclusion, the study suggested that we should 1) raise awareness of community leaders who will be supporters for policy implementation, 2) have a coordinator who can regulate and coordinate the operations of each sector, 3) prevent obesity in children, and
4) develop a capacity to assess community readiness in health providers, teachers and community leaders.