Online course increases nutrition professionals' knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of an online continuing education course on the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of nutrition professionals to use an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental design using intervention and delayed intervention comparison groups with pre/post-course assessments.

SETTING

Online continuing education course.

PARTICIPANTS

Nutrition and health professionals in an online course (n = 105) and a delayed intervention comparison group (n = 37).

INTERVENTION

A 6-week, facilitated online course titled, Preventing Childhood Obesity: An Ecological Approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in using an ecological approach to address childhood obesity.

ANALYSIS

Paired and independent sample t tests, factor analysis, regression analysis.

RESULTS

In contrast to a comparison group, nutrition and health professionals who participated in a 6-week online course had statistically significant increases (P < .01) in their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy related to using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A facilitated online course can be effective at increasing the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of community-based nutrition and health professionals in using an ecological approach to prevent childhood obesity in their communities.

Copyright © 2011 Society for Nutrition Education. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.