A Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

1
A Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

• University of Kansas Researchers
• Cheryl A. Gibson, PhD
• Debra K. Sullivan, PhD, RD
• J. Leon Greene, PhD
• Bryan K. Smith, PhD
• Joseph E. Donnelly, EdD

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Introduction

• Prevalence of obesity in the US is a significant
  public health problem
• Prevalence of overweight in 4 and 5 year old
  children has significantly increased
• Preschool age children may represent a critical
  age group in which to intervene

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Why the Head Start program setting?

• Schools provide an important avenue to intervene
  in prevention of obesity
• Provide ongoing contact
• Children eat most of the meals at school
• Menus can be easily altered
• Reduce dietary fat content
• Increase fruits/vegetables, whole grains and
  dairy foods
• Can easily promote physical activity within the
  classroom setting

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Pilot Study

• 4 Head Start Sites
• KCMO school district
• Trained 28 preK teachers
• Deliver 150 minutes of moderate intensity PA per
  week
• One 3 hour workshop
• Nutrition education
• Portion control
• Common nutrition myths
• Healthy snacks for this age group

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Pilot Study

• Taste testing for snack preferences
• Altered school menus
• Reduce dietary fat content
• Increase fruit/vegetables, whole grains, and
  low-fat dairy foods
• Measures
• Height
• Weight
• Physical activity levels
• Enjoyment
• Product consumption

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Pilot Study

• Assessed 128 children (69 F 59 M)
• Underweight 1
• Healthy weight 64
• At risk for overweight 14
• Overweight 21
• Low physical activity levels
• Less than optimal snacks served
• Large portion sizes for breakfast and lunch

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Pilot Study

• End of Study
• Made progress in enhancing PA levels
• Need to engage parents to follow-up with
  activities within the home
• Established healthier school diets
• While keeping energy stable
• Decreased percentage of calories from dietary fat
• Increased protein, dietary calcium, Vitamin C
• Decreased intake of refined and semi-refined foods

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Pilot Study

• End of Study
• Direct observations
• Children enjoyed Movement Exploration activities
• Teachers encouraged the children to be physically
  active
• Children received positive feedback
• Teacher evaluations of workshop sessions
• Sessions well-organized
• Addressed specific questions about
  nutrition/physical activity
• Relevant to school experience and provided good
  examples

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Future Directions

• Conduct a larger trial
• PreK programs in the KC area
• Program components
• Physical activity
• Nutrition
• Family education

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Specific Objectives

• Alter the trajectory toward overweight in
  preschool children
• Increase physical activity at school and outside
  of school
• Improve nutrition at school and in the home
• Adoption of the healthy behaviors family
  component

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Resources for Practical Ways to Establish Good
Eating and Activity Habits in Early Childhood
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School Wellness Resource

• Wellness Manual
• Online information on nutrition, nutrition
  education, and physical activity
• Handouts
• Educational materials
• Sample lesson plans
• Links to other resources

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Sample Snack Menu
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Breakfast on the GoGrab-N-Go Snacks

• Healthy ideas for a variety of breakfast items
  and Grab-N-Go snacks
• Team Nutrition USDA
• American Dietetics Association
• National Dairy Association
• KidsHealth.org

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Sample Parent Materials and Site Materials

• Helpful handouts for parents and site providers
• The importance of eating fruits and vegetables
• Tips for Families Eat Right, Exercise, and Have
  Fun
• Healthy Snacks
• Team Nutrition USDA
• Dairy Council

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Web-Based Nutrition Education

• Nutrition Education for Classroom Teachers
• Help with meeting the guidelines for the new
  School Wellness Policies
• Will be offered Fall 2007
• University of Kansas, Department of Dietetics and
  Nutrition
• Continuing Education Credits

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KCPT Childrens Programming

• Dee Rusconi
• Sesame Street Play, Imagine and Learn Caregiver
  Guide
• Healthy Habits for Life Caregiver Guide
• Lets Eat! Funny Food Songs CD