Evaluation of Current Educational Materials to Prevent Early Childhood Obesity: A Content Analysis

Abstract

nutrition and to increase physical activity among employees. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Via formative research, an extensive review of the worksite literature and existing programs; interviews and focus groups with business leaders; and focus groups with low-and middle-income working Californian adults was conducted on the California Fit Business Kit (Kit), a tool for assessing organizational need and readiness for PSE change. Description: Target audience were employees at worksites that qualify for SNAP-Ed programming. Based upon preliminary findings from formative research, promising strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at worksites were identified. The Michigan Fitness Foundation is currently implementing the Kit, an emerging intervention, among low-wage worksites participating in SNAP-Ed programming. Evaluation: This intervention is being conducted among 12 worksites using the Kit's Check for Health Scorecard, which is based on 12 wellness components related to nutrition and physical activity. Quantitative and qualitative results will be reported as basic descriptive statistics and themes using SPSS and NVivo, respectively. Conclusions and Implications: There are few tools available to date designed to prioritize PSE strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at low-income worksites. The preliminary findings from the use of the Kit at California worksites will be compared to priority PSE strategies identified in Michigan worksites. This tool may be useful in assisting employers with improving employee health and reducing health care costs related to poor nutrition and sedentary behaviors among low-income populations.

Quality Nutrition Education Materials for Pregnant or Lactating Women and Children Ages 0–24 Months Old

“…1 The Developing and Assessing Nutrition Education Handouts (DANEH) tool provides objective criteria for assessing nutrition education handouts, 1 and has been used to assess educational materials aimed at B-24 population. 2 However, studies examining quality of nutrition educational materials aimed at P/B-24 population remains limited, and investigation of adherence to dietary guidelines by P/B-24 population for identification of behavioral outcomes is warranted. 3 The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) 2020-2025 inform nutrition communications that promote behavior change and for the first time include the P/B-24 population.…”

“…1 Furthermore, nutrition educational materials for parents with children ages 0−24 months are limited and have been found to contain information inconsistent with national recommendations, be written at inappropriate reading levels, and lack cultural appropriateness. 2 Together with the DGAs 2020-2025, the DANEH tool 1 can serve as a framework for the development of simple, evidence-based, and culturally appropriate nutrition educational materials for the P/B-24 population and assessment of current educational materials. Therefore, the Children's Division encourages the use of the DANEH tool by SNEB members who utilize and/or create educational materials for the P/B-24 population.…”