Abstract
This study examined the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention program on changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score and nutrition practices. Eight child care centers were randomly assigned to an intervention or attention control arm. Participants were a multiethnic sample of children aged 2 to 5 years old (N = 307). Intervention centers received healthy menu changes and family-based education focused on increased physical activity and fresh produce intake, decreased intake of simple carbohydrate snacks, and decreased screen time. Control centers received an attention control program. Height, weight, and nutrition data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Analysis examined height, weight, and BMI z-score change by intervention condition (at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months). Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among BMI z-scores and home activities and nutrition patterns in the intervention group. Child BMI z-score was significantly negatively correlated with the number of home activities completed at 6-month post intervention among intervention participants. Similarly, intervention children consumed less junk food, ate more fresh fruits and vegetables, drank less juice, and drank more 1% milk compared to children at control sites at 6 months post baseline. Ninety-seven percent of those children who were normal weight at baseline were still normal weight 12 months later. Findings support child care centers as a promising setting to implement childhood obesity prevention programs in this age group.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 695-705 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Health Promotion Practice |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
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Keywords
- child care setting
- childhood obesity
- early childhood
- obesity prevention
- overweight
- preschool age
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Nursing (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Effect of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program on Body Mass Index and Nutrition Practices Among Preschool-Aged Children. / Natale, Ruby A; Lopez-Mitnik, Gabriela; Uhlhorn, Susan B.; Asfour, Lila; Messiah, Sarah.
In: Health Promotion Practice, Vol. 15, No. 5, 01.01.2014, p. 695-705.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program on Body Mass Index and Nutrition Practices Among Preschool-Aged Children
AU - Natale, Ruby A
AU - Lopez-Mitnik, Gabriela
AU - Uhlhorn, Susan B.
AU - Asfour, Lila
AU - Messiah, Sarah
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - This study examined the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention program on changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score and nutrition practices. Eight child care centers were randomly assigned to an intervention or attention control arm. Participants were a multiethnic sample of children aged 2 to 5 years old (N = 307). Intervention centers received healthy menu changes and family-based education focused on increased physical activity and fresh produce intake, decreased intake of simple carbohydrate snacks, and decreased screen time. Control centers received an attention control program. Height, weight, and nutrition data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Analysis examined height, weight, and BMI z-score change by intervention condition (at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months). Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among BMI z-scores and home activities and nutrition patterns in the intervention group. Child BMI z-score was significantly negatively correlated with the number of home activities completed at 6-month post intervention among intervention participants. Similarly, intervention children consumed less junk food, ate more fresh fruits and vegetables, drank less juice, and drank more 1% milk compared to children at control sites at 6 months post baseline. Ninety-seven percent of those children who were normal weight at baseline were still normal weight 12 months later. Findings support child care centers as a promising setting to implement childhood obesity prevention programs in this age group.
AB - This study examined the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention program on changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score and nutrition practices. Eight child care centers were randomly assigned to an intervention or attention control arm. Participants were a multiethnic sample of children aged 2 to 5 years old (N = 307). Intervention centers received healthy menu changes and family-based education focused on increased physical activity and fresh produce intake, decreased intake of simple carbohydrate snacks, and decreased screen time. Control centers received an attention control program. Height, weight, and nutrition data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Analysis examined height, weight, and BMI z-score change by intervention condition (at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months). Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships among BMI z-scores and home activities and nutrition patterns in the intervention group. Child BMI z-score was significantly negatively correlated with the number of home activities completed at 6-month post intervention among intervention participants. Similarly, intervention children consumed less junk food, ate more fresh fruits and vegetables, drank less juice, and drank more 1% milk compared to children at control sites at 6 months post baseline. Ninety-seven percent of those children who were normal weight at baseline were still normal weight 12 months later. Findings support child care centers as a promising setting to implement childhood obesity prevention programs in this age group.
KW - child care setting
KW - childhood obesity
KW - early childhood
KW - obesity prevention
KW - overweight
KW - preschool age
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905967721&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84905967721&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1524839914523429
DO - 10.1177/1524839914523429
M3 - Article
C2 - 24662896
AN - SCOPUS:84905967721
VL - 15
SP - 695
EP - 705
JO - Health Promotion Practice
JF - Health Promotion Practice
SN - 1524-8399
IS - 5
ER -