Logic Model Case Study
One in seven low-income, preschool-aged children in the US is obese (CDC, 2020). In addition, nearly 19% of US children are obese (CDC, 2020). Childhood obesity is one of the leading public health concerns and disproportionately affects low-income children. Being obese as a child also increases the likelihood of being obese as an adolescent or adult (CDC, 2020). This puts children at risk for developing several chronic diseases, including diabetes, asthma and hypertension.
In ABC County, there is a high poverty rate and 27% of the community is obese. Additionally, 45% of school-aged children are either overweight or obese. You are a health educator who has been assigned with the task of decreasing childhood obesity rates by collaborating with Lincoln Elementary School in ABC County. The school has 300 students from pre-kindergarten through 4th grade, all of whom have limited access to quality physical education programming. Lacking basic essentials, such as a physical education teacher and gymnasium, the children are already at a disadvantage. However, the school has a large open space behind the main building but no formal playground.
Regular physical activity contributes to obesity prevention. The availability of quality and safe recreation areas play pivotal roles in physical activity behaviors in children. The goal of your program is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of elementary school children in ABC County as measured by participation in physical activity either during or after school.
1. Briefly write 3-4 objectives to increase physical activity for children at Lincoln Elementary School.
2. Develop a logic model to illustrate your program.
Logic Model:
Here's a logic model to illustrate the program, presented in a table format.
| Inputs | Activities | Outputs | Outcomes (Short, Mid, Long-Term) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * Health Educator time and expertise | * Conduct needs assessment with school staff, parents, and students | * Needs assessment report | Short-Term: Increase in daily physical activity (15 minutes/day) for 80% of participants within 1 month. | Improved physical health and well-being of elementary school children. |
| * School open space | * Develop a plan for playground development (design, budget, timeline) | * Playground development plan | Mid-Term: Sustainable after-school physical activity program with 50% student participation within 3 months. | Reduced childhood obesity rates in ABC County. |
| * Funding (grants, donations) | * Secure funding for playground equipment and program resources | * Secured funding and resources | Long-Term: 10% improvement in physical fitness among participating students within the school year. | Improved health behaviors and reduced risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. |
| * Volunteer support (parents, community members) | * Train volunteers and school staff on physical activity promotion and program facilitation | * Trained volunteers and staff | Community Objective: Secure 2 community partnerships within 6 months. | Enhanced community engagement and support for school health initiatives. |
| * Partnerships with community organizations | * Implement structured physical activity sessions during and after school | * Regular physical activity sessions | ||
| * Educational materials (handouts, presentations) | * Provide nutrition education and healthy lifestyle workshops for students and parents | * Nutrition education workshops | ||
| * Fitness testing equipment | * Conduct pre- and post-program fitness assessments | * Fitness assessment data | ||
| * Student activity logs | * Develop and distribute student activity logs | * Completed student activity logs |
Explanation of Logic Model Components:
- Inputs: Resources invested in the program (e.g., staff time, funding, materials, partnerships).
- Activities: Actions taken to implement the program (e.g., needs assessment, playground development, training, education).
- Outputs: Direct products of the activities (e.g., reports, plans, trained personnel, activity logs).
- Outcomes: Changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, or conditions that occur as a result of the program (short, mid, and long-term).
- Impact: The ultimate goal of the program; the long-term, broader effect on the community.
. Objectives to Increase Physical Activity:
- Short-Term Objective: By the end of the first month of the program, 80% of participating students will demonstrate an increase in daily physical activity by at least 15 minutes, as measured by student activity logs.
- Mid-Term Objective: Within three months of program implementation, Lincoln Elementary School will establish a sustainable after-school physical activity program, with at least 50% student participation, facilitated by trained volunteers and/or staff.
- Long-Term Objective: Over the course of the school year, participating students will demonstrate a 10% improvement in physical fitness, as assessed by standardized fitness tests (e.g., PACER test), compared to baseline measurements.
- Community Objective: Within six months, secure partnerships with at least two community organizations (e.g., local parks department, YMCA) to enhance program resources and sustainability.