This assignment focuses on a specific target population and how to engage them to change behavior – it does NOT require the full process of developing an effective intervention. It will be necessary to consider some aspects of developing interventions, but your submitted assignment is just the one component (behavior change plan) of a full intervention plan. Case ScenarioAfter careful review of National data on childhood obesity (https://stateofobesity.org/children1017/) you discover that TN ranks first – 37.7% of children ages 10-17 years are considered obese. Further data collection in the Shelby County School System reveals three middle schools with even higher averages. To address this problem, you are developing a pilot study to work directly with the students (ages 11-13) who are obese to help them modify their activity/dietary/lifestyle choices so that they can improve their health and reduce the risk of developing diseases such has diabetes and heart disease. Your proposal to develop this plan has been endorsed by the school board, and all the children you have selected have agreed to work with you and they have received parental/guardian permission. Note: this is not a “study” in which you are seeking to publish data – so the parental permission (which will require regular communication with the parent/guardian/family) is all that is required for this intervention. For this project you are to assume the selected students eat primarily high fat/carbohydrate/calorie foods, including fast food at least 5 times a week; they do not participate in organized sports; and their primary “free-time” activity is to be “in front of a screen” (TV, video games, computer).Instructions: Based upon the case scenario below describe a plan for motivating/managing changes to the lifestyle/behavior choices of this population. Your plan should also include how you intend to measure successful behavior change. Note that although this case is for a specific group and your plan will be customized to this group, consider that there will likely be many components that could be applied beyond this group to other similar populations. Be certain you have read through chapter 8 and understand the major theories associated with health behavior (The Health Belief Model, The Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior, and the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change) before you begin. There are several websites/webdocuments posted under the Chapter 8 section on Moodle which provide further information on how to impact behavior change. Consider the following guidelines as you develop your plan:The Process of Creating Action Plans (adapted from http://www.nchealthliteracy.org/toolkit/tool15.pdf )Motivation: If a patient does not express the motivation to change, then the patient is not ready for an action plan. The goal must be important to the patient for the plan to be successful. (For this project, you are working with young adolescents – you are to assume the parents have given permission, and the students have also agreed to participate.)Created by the patient: The patient must determine the goal with the educator’s guidance. (For this project, you are proposing a plan that would be reasonable for a child. If you have ready access to a 11-13 year old child you are welcome to get their input [even a young child should have input in a behavior change plan]; but you do NOT have to seek out a child’s input for this assignment.)Small and realistic: Brainstorm small, specific, and realistic steps the patient can take to achieve the goal that can be re-revaluated over a short time period, like a week.One step at a time: Have the patient pick one specific step that he or she is likely to implement. (For this project, you determine reasonable steps.)Fill out the form: Outline what, how much, when, and how often they will do the step. (For this project you are designing the form – see an example on the Moodle page.)Assess confidence: Assess the patient’s confidence by asking questions such as, “How confident are you that you can follow this action plan?” A patient should feel confident, stating a 7 or higher on a scale of 0-10 on confidence. If they are not, revise the goal so the patient feels confident they can achieve it. Ask the patient, “What might stop you from following this action plan?” Problem solve about how to overcome barriers. (For this project determine the kinds of questions you will ask – these are the questions asked BEFORE the steps of the behavior change begin.)Make a copy of the action plan: Give a copy to the patient, and place a copy in the patient’s chart.Follow-up is very important; it lets the patient know that you are interested in helping them achieve behavior changes. Options for follow-up include a phone call or meeting during an office visit. If the goal was not achieved, the follow-up can help to redefine a goal that can be achieved and result in recognized progress for the patient.Measure of success: Determine what will be the means of determining successful behavior change. The submitted assignment should be a single file that has the following components:o A narrative summary of the plan (no more than two pages, double-spaced, with title, name, and date centered on the top of the first page)o A completed action plan form customized to your plan (this will likely be 2 -4 pages)o One page which consists of the method/tool for evaluating successful behavior change (this may include a chart or just a list of how success is measured)o Conclusion page – this page addresses your anticipated challenges to achieving successful behavior change. It is really a reflection of your plan and your thoughts on the process of developing a plan to help this population change their behavior.o Reference page – if necessary. If you use your textbook or any of the resources or links provided on the Moodle page you do NOT need to cite or reference them (it is automatically assumed you have used all these sources in some form or another); BUT, if you use additional sources you MUST cite and reference them. Grading is as followso Plan design: your plan reflects careful consideration regarding theories of behavior change and the appropriateness of the plan for this population – up to 40 pointso Conclusion page: is well thought out and reflects critical analysis and reflection on the challenges of behavior change for this population – up to 20 pointso Thoroughness of the assignment submission: all components included – up to 20 pointso Mechanics: all guidelines are followed and the paper is free of grammar/spelling errors – up to 20 points
