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Assignment Activity Unit 3

Programming 3

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5 views

Assignment Activity Unit 3

Programming 3

Uploaded by

givematenga3
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment Activity Unit 3

I will write about Obesity:


Obesity is a growing health issue worldwide, leading to numerous chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart
disease, and hypertension (Michie et al, 2011). To tackle this problem effectively, we need to use well-
established frameworks to design and implement an intervention. One of the most useful frameworks for this
purpose is the COM-B system, part of the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW). This system provides a
comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing behavior by focusing on the components that
drive behavior change (Michie et al, 2011).
The COM-B System
The COM-B system is a model that helps in understanding how to change behavior by focusing on three
core components: Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation (Michie et al, 2011).
1. Capability: This refers to an individual's physical and psychological capacity to perform a behavior.
2. Opportunity: This includes the external factors that make the behavior possible or difficult.
3. Motivation: This involves the internal processes that energize and direct behavior, such as desires,
goals, and values.
The COM-B system is part of a broader framework known as the Behavior Change Wheel, which also
includes the various types of interventions and policies that can be used to support behavior change.
Why the COM-B System?
The COM-B system is particularly appealing because it offers a structured method to identify the factors
influencing behavior. By addressing Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation, it allows for a tailored
intervention that targets the root causes of obesity rather than merely addressing its symptoms. This
comprehensive approach ensures that the intervention is effective and sustainable (McMahon & Lemkau,
2020).
Designing the Intervention
For this assignment, I will use the COM-B system to design an intervention aimed at reducing obesity in a
community. Here's how I would approach this:
1. Assessing Capability
o Education Programs: Implement community-based education programs to improve
knowledge about healthy eating and physical activity. This will increase people's
understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet and the importance of regular exercise
(McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).
o Skill Workshops: Offer workshops to teach practical skills, such as how to prepare healthy
meals and how to create a personalized exercise plan. This addresses the psychological
capability by enhancing people's skills and knowledge (McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).
2. Enhancing Opportunity
o Access to Healthy Foods: Partner with local grocery stores and farmers' markets to increase
the availability and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables. This improves the external
environment by making healthy food options more accessible to everyone (Michie et al,
2011).
o Infrastructure for Physical Activity: Invest in creating more parks, walking trails, and
community sports facilities. This provides the physical opportunity for people to engage in
regular exercise, be sportive and active (Michie et al, 2011).
3. Boosting Motivation
o Mass Media Campaigns: Launch a mass media campaign to raise awareness about the risks
of obesity and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This will help to shift public attitudes and
increase motivation to make healthier choices.
o Incentive Programs: Introduce financial incentives or rewards for people who meet specific
health goals, such as losing a certain amount of weight or regularly participating in exercise
programs. This can provide a tangible motivation to encourage behavior change (McMahon
& Lemkau, 2020).
Prioritizing Strategies
To maximize the impact of the intervention, I would prioritize the following strategies:
1. Mass Media Campaigns: These are crucial for creating widespread awareness and changing public
attitudes about obesity. Effective media campaigns can reach a large audience, provide important
information, and inspire people to act (McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).
2. Access to Healthy Foods: Improving the availability of healthy food options addresses a major
barrier to healthy eating. When healthy foods are easily accessible and affordable, people are more
likely to make healthier food choices (McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).
3. Incentive Programs: Financial incentives can provide an immediate and tangible reward for making
healthier choices, which can be especially motivating for individuals who are struggling to change
their behavior (McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).
Conclusion
The COM-B system offers a comprehensive approach to designing behavior change interventions by
addressing capability, opportunity, and motivation. By focusing on these components, the intervention can
effectively target the underlying factors contributing to obesity. Combining educational programs, improved
access to healthy foods, and motivational strategies such as mass media campaigns and incentives will create
a robust framework for promoting healthier behaviors and reducing obesity in the community. This
multifaceted approach ensures that the intervention is not only impactful but also sustainable in the long
term (McMahon & Lemkau, 2020).

Reference:
Michie, S., van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for
characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6(1), 42.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-42
McMahon, S. A., & Lemkau, J. (2020). Behavior change communication in health promotion: Appropriate
practices and promising approaches. Journal of Health Communication, 25(5), 361-369.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2020.1762901
Weinman, J., & Wright, S. (2020). The psychology of health and illness: An open access source.
https://open.edu.au/course/health-psychology

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