Evaluation of “Healthy Way to Grow”: An Obesity Prevention Program in Early Care and Education Centers

Ramos, Manica F.; Weber, Jennifer; Thompson, Joy A.; Werk, Lloyd N.; Shuell, Julie; Woods, Kenza; Bamdad, Tiffany

doi:10.1007/s10643-020-01102-z

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…Common intervention strategies often include, for example, the adaptation of ECE curriculum, activities, modelling, and environment [17]. Though ECE-based interventions continue to grow in number and demonstrate promise [16], few directly involve parents as intervention recipients [18][19][20][21][22], beyond children and ECE staff, as there are notable challenges to doing so [22,23]. This, however, contrasts an abundance of literature evidencing the importance of family contexts and parenting behaviors in obesity prevention [24][25][26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial: Communities for Healthy Living, family-centered obesity prevention program for Head Start parents and children

Gago

Aftosmes‐Tobio²,

Beckerman-Hsu³

et al. 2023

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background This study reports the outcomes of Communities for Healthy Living (CHL), a cluster randomized obesity prevention trial implemented in partnership with Head Start, a federally-funded preschool program for low-income families. Methods Using a stepped wedge design, Head Start programs (n = 16; Boston, MA, USA) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention start times. CHL involved a media campaign and enhanced nutrition support. Parents were invited to join Parents Connect for Healthy Living (PConnect), a 10-week wellness program. At the beginning and end of each school year (2017-2019), data were collected on the primary outcome of child Body Mass Index z-score (BMIz) and modified BMIz, and secondary outcomes of child weight-related behaviors (diet, physical activity, sleep, media use) and parents’ weight-related parenting practices and empowerment. Data from 2 years, rather than three, were utilized to evaluate CHL due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We used mixed effects linear regression to compare relative differences during intervention vs. control periods (n = 1274 vs. 2476 children) in (1) mean change in child BMIz and modified BMIz, (2) the odds of meeting child health behavior recommendations, (3) mean change in parenting practices, and (4) mean change in parent empowerment. We also compared outcomes among parents who chose post-randomization to participate in PConnect vs. not (n = 55 vs. 443). Results During intervention periods (vs. control), children experienced greater increases in BMIz and modified BMIz (b = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02,0.10; b = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.12), yet were more likely to meet recommendations related to three of eight measured behaviors: sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (i.e., rarely consume; Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2,2.3), water consumption (i.e., multiple times per day; OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2,2.3), and screen time (i.e., ≤1 hour/day; OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0,1.8). No statistically significant differences for intervention (vs. control) periods were observed in parent empowerment or parenting practices. However, parents who enrolled in PConnect (vs. not) demonstrated greater increases in empowerment (b = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04,0.31). Conclusions Interventions that emphasize parent engagement may increase parental empowerment. Intervention exposure was associated with statistically, but not clinically, significant increases in BMIz and increased odds of meeting recommendations for three child behaviors; premature trial suspension may explain mixed results. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03334669, Registered October 2017.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial: Communities for Healthy Living, family-centered obesity prevention program for Head Start parents and children

Gago

Aftosmes‐Tobio²,

Beckerman-Hsu³

et al. 2023

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Teachers’ and Parents’ Perspectives on the Feasibility of a Preschool-Based Behavioral Intervention to Prevent Obesity: An Embedded Qualitative Study within ToyBox Study Malaysia

Lee

Cheah

Anchang

et al. 2022

Early Childhood Educ J

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The aim of this qualitative study, an embedded component of ToyBox Study Malaysia (TSM), was to elicit the perspectives of teachers and parents regarding the implementation of TSM. TSM is a preschool-based behavioral intervention program aimed at improving healthy energy balance-related behaviors among young children attending preschools. The qualitative study adopted a descriptive-interpretive methodology, and triangulated data collected through semi-structured focus groups with artifacts collected. The setting involved rural and metropolitan preschools in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. In Sarawak, 11 teachers and 20 parents from six intervention preschools participated in this study. In Peninsular Malaysia, 14 preschool teachers and seven assistant teachers representing all 15 intervention preschools participated in the study. Data were analyzed thematically and four overarching themes were identified: impact of TSM on the children's knowledge and practices of healthy energy balance-related behaviors; spheres of influence upon the children's energy balance-related behaviors; constraints and affordances related to the implementation of TSM; and prospective sustainability of TSM. The triangulation of data from teachers, parents, and the artifacts related to TSM enabled the corroboration of evidence to support the themes identified. This study provides evidence on the reciprocal interactions between the teachers and parents who played key roles in facilitating behavioral change in the children, and the children who, in turn, served as change agents beyond the preschool. Furthermore, the mediational tools such as the TSM crockery and availability of healthy food and water led to the reported behavioral changes at both rural and metropolitan settings.

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Policy, Systems, and Environmental Strategies to Support Healthy Eating Behaviors in Early Childhood: A Scoping Review of Existing Evaluation Tools

Varela,

Shelnutt,

Miller

et al. 2024

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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Evaluation of “Healthy Way to Grow”: An Obesity Prevention Program in Early Care and Education Centers

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial: Communities for Healthy Living, family-centered obesity prevention program for Head Start parents and children

Evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial: Communities for Healthy Living, family-centered obesity prevention program for Head Start parents and children

Teachers’ and Parents’ Perspectives on the Feasibility of a Preschool-Based Behavioral Intervention to Prevent Obesity: An Embedded Qualitative Study within ToyBox Study Malaysia

Policy, Systems, and Environmental Strategies to Support Healthy Eating Behaviors in Early Childhood: A Scoping Review of Existing Evaluation Tools

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