Evaluation Reports

This section of CoRE provides links to selected reports on the findings from the evaluation of nationally led programmes which influence obesity or its determinants. Other evaluation reports, case studies and intervention details can also be found on NOO CoRE pages:
SEF case study evaluations (regional and local)
Details of interventions (mainly local) gathered via the evaluation data collection tool

The evaluation reports are grouped under the following headings:

  • Behaviour change
  • Physical activity
  • Healthy eating
  • Healthy children and families
  • Health inequalities/healthy communities

Behaviour change

Change4Life

Change4Life was launched in January 2009 as the social marketing component of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives cross-governmental strategy for England. In its first year, Change4Life focused on families with children aged 5 to 11 who were at greatest risk of becoming overweight or obese. One Year On reports on how Change4Life has performed against the targets set out in the Change4Life marketing strategy, together with what had been learned about using marketing to influence behaviour.

Physical activity

Cycling Demonstration Towns Programme

In 2005 Cycling England launched the Cycling Demonstration Towns Programme to invest in measures to stimulate increased levels of cycling. The first phase of the programme ended in March 2009. Reports showing interim results from evaluation of the Cycling Demonstration Towns Programme can be found at:

Local Exercise Action Pilots

Local Exercise Action Pilot (LEAP) projects were developed to test a range of evidence-based community approaches for increasing levels of exercise and reducing sedentary behaviour among adults and young people in hard-to-reach communities. The final report on the national evaluation of the scheme can be found at:

Free Swimming Programme

The Free Swimming Programme (FSP) was launched in 2008 and involved the provision of funding to local authorities across England to increase participation in swimming. It included the offer of free swimming to people aged 60 or over and 16 and under. The results from evaluation of the first year of the programme are presented here:

Healthy eating

‘5 A Day’ Programme

The national ‘5 A Day’ programme was launched in 2002 to raise awareness of the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, and to improve access to fruit and vegetables. A report describing the methodology of, and results from, evaluation of the ‘5 A Day’ programme can be found at:

School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme

The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, part of the ‘5 A Day’ programme, was set up to provide a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day to all four to six year old children in local education authority maintained infant, primary and special schools. Findings from evaluation of the pilot phase of the programme and further evaluation of the scheme following its roll out to all English regions in 2004 can be found at:

Health inequalities/healthy communities

Health Action Zones

Health action zones (HAZs) were launched in 1997 to improve health and reduce inequalities. A briefing which highlights the impact of HAZs and factors affecting progress can be found at:

Healthy Living Centres Programme

The Healthy Living Centre (HLC) programme was set up in 1998 to fund community level interventions to address health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing in innovative ways. The final report from the evaluation commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund, provides an account of the overall impact of the programme, drawing on the final stages of the evaluation, and referencing data from earlier interim reports and parallel evaluation activities.

Sure Start

Sure Start was implemented as a cross-governmental department scheme to improve the health and well-being of children under four and their families in low income areas. Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) were established between 1999 and 2003. Two reports showing findings from evaluation of the programme can be found at: