Weight of the Nation: Childhood Obesit y Panel Discussion February 1, 2013

1. Weight of the Nation: Childhood Obesity Panel Discussion February 1, 2013 Summary of Evaluation Findings Prepared by Lynsie Ranker

2. Who Attended? • Total attendance was 75 for the panel (71 for the documentary viewing).  • Roughly half of those who filled out the evaluation (n=60) were MPH students (n=28) with the other half being mostly Sargent students (n=25). • The rest were practitioners (almost all were colleagues from the East Boston Health Center) • For an estimated 80% of attendees this was their first event, and nearly all (except for one respondent...) said they wished to attend a future event.

3. Satisfaction with the Event • Overall satisfaction was overwhelmingly positive with an average of 4.5 out of 5 • The most common rating was a 5 out of 5 • Agreement with the attitudinal statements on the front page was also positive, with mostly averages of 4 (moderately agree) • The only attitudinal response that warranted neutral to disagreeing ratings was the amount of time allotted was sufficient (average of 3.9, range from 1 to 5) • However, the Mode was still 5 out of 5

4. How did they hear about the event? • The most common medium for hearing about the program was through a Professor of Faculty member (45%) • Roughly one third of attendees reported hearing about the program through the Student Insider announcement • The least common medium for hearing about the program was through the Spotlight website (3%).

5. Opportunities • Class announcements may be an effective, and largely untapped form of outreach • Nearly all Sargent attendees had heard about the event through the same professor • Only a few MPH students had heard of the event through a professor/faculty • While hand outs were provided at each table, Spotlight may benefit from a clear action-oriented summary at the end of an event with indications on where to seek more information. • First time attendees (80% of attendees) appear eager for more information, wishing to attend future events • Indication of a Facebook page, or other social media webpage may be easier for students to find and follow and may help to advertise future events • One open end in particular brought up the issue of branding. A participant asked where she/he could get more information (website, Facebook, etc.)

6. Attendee Feedback: On the Event • “Great event, thanks!” • “Longer discussion panel and more involvement/questions from the crowd” • “I like how there was many different types of health professionals--some focused on the individual and others focused on the larger scale” • “More time for discussion/interaction with panelists please!” • “Would love some action steps” • “Great Food. Thank you! Great Panel. Great Facilitator!” • “Is there an email list, Facebook page?”

7. Attendee Feedback: Future Events • “I enjoyed the panel but I also think there should be events in the future where we are not just talking but doing…going out and doing some physical activity because this is an issue that is very real at BU!” • “Eating well on a budget: how to design meals and dishes which include health foods that people could cook without having to spend more money on groceries. Sample grocery lists for a variety of weekly/monthly budgets” • “Walking and safety perceptions: could Boston school children walk to schools? is it safe? how could we make it more safe? "Walking bus" programs. programs have appeared sporadically. Is it feasible in the city? in the suburbs?”