Ruby Natale|Stephanie Hapeman Scott|Sarah Messiah|Maria Mesa Schrack|Susan B. Uhlhorn|Alan M. Delamater
Design and methods for evaluating an early childhood obesity prevention program in the childcare center setting
University of Miami|University of Miami|University of Miami|University of Miami|University of Miami|University of Miami
many unhealthy dietary physical activity habits foster development obesity established age five presently approximately 70 percent children united states currently enrolled early childcare facilities making ideal setting implement evaluate childhood obesity prevention efforts describe methods conducting obesity prevention randomized trial child care setting randomized controlled obesity prevention trial currently conducted three year period 2010present sample consists 28 lowincome ethnically diverse child care centers 1105 children sample 60 hispanic 15 haitian 12 black 2 nonhispanic white 71 caregivers born outside us purpose test efficacy parent teacher rolemodeling intervention childrens nutrition physical activity behaviors healthy caregivershealthy children hc2 intervention arm schools received combination 1 implementing daily curricula teachersparents nutritional gatekeepers 2 implementing daily curricula children 3 technical assistance meal snack menu modifications including fresh less canned produce 4 creation center policy dietary requirements meals snacks physical activity screen time control arm schools received attention control safety curriculum major outcome measures include prepost changes child body mass index percentile z score fruit vegetable nutritious food intake amount physical activity parental nutrition physical activity knowledge attitudes beliefs defined intentions behaviors measures administered beginning end school year year one year two study total 4 longitudinal time points assessment although attempts made prevent obesity first years life period may represent best opportunity obesity prevention findings investigation inform fields childhood obesity prevention early childhood research effects obesity prevention program housed childcare setting trial registration number nct01722032