1. The diffusion of community approaches to prevent overweight in children in the Netherlands: A study protocol. Van der Kleij MJJ 1, Crone MR 2, Reis R 3, Kloek GC 4, Van der Meer I 5, Paulussen TGWM 6 1,2.,3 LUMC, Leiden; Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Noordelijk Zuid-Holland (ACCPHNZ) 4 HHS, The Hague; Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Noordelijk Zuid-Holland 5 GGD, The Hague; Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Noordelijk Zuid-Holland 6 TNO, Leiden; Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Noordelijk Zuid-Holland ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION Increasing prevalence of childhood overweight continues to be a major concern in the Netherlands. Community approaches based on the French EPODE program show promising results. Consortium Integrated Approach Overweight (CIAO) researches the implementation of this approach in the Netherlands. First step was the formulation of a study protocol. METHODS  Study of relevant literature;  Interviews with experts & professionals in the field. In accordance with our findings, a study protocol was formulated. RESULTS Protocol consist of a longitudinal study design containing mixed research methods. Development of the protocol was guided by the framework for process evaluation by Saunders 1. Phase I: Assessment of the content, organization & key elements of the approach. Phase II: Study of the diffusion of the approach on the community level for a period of two to three years. As collaboration and activities are intertwined, core elements of the community approach, both will be studied as part of the diffusion. Research methods were developed based on an adjusted version of the framework for determinants of innovation processes, as developed by Paulussen 2. CONCLUSION Community approaches tend to be liquid & dynamic, therefore the study protocol can be tailored to individual needs of communities during the process of research. At present, research has started in two communities; three other communities will follow in June 2012. The results of the study will eventually lead to an outline of determinants of the diffusion of the integrated, community approach. Document Analysis Planning documents & minutes of meetings Semi-structured interview : Project Manager Phase I Assessment REFERENCES [1] Saunders, R. P., Evans, M. H. & Joshi, P. (2005). Developing a process- evaluation plan for assessing health promotion program implementation: a how-to guide. Health Promotion Practice, 6, 134-147. [2] Paulussen, Th., Wiefferink, K. & Mesters, I. (2007). Invoering van effectief gebleken interventies. In: Brug, J., Van Asseman, P. & Lechner, L. (eds). Gezondheidsvoorlichting en gedragsverandering. Assen: Van Gorcum. Excludation Approach overweight according to EPODE Introductory interview: Project Manager Includation Phase 0 Introduction COLLABORATIONACTIVITIES Questionnaire & Focus Group Social Network Analysis Phase II Research on diffusion Semi-structured interviews Project Management Team Observations & Interviews: Community Online Evaluation Monitor STUDY PROTOCOL