Engaging Low-Income Parents in Childhood Obesity Prevention from Start to Finish: A Case Study

Prevention of childhood obesity is a national priority. Parents influence young children’s healthy lifestyles, so it is paradoxical that obesity interventions focus primarily on children. Evidence and theory suggest that including parents in interventions offers promise for effective childhood obesity prevention. This case study engaged parents’ as co-researchers in the design, implementation and evaluation of an intervention for low-income families with a child enrolled in Head Start. Parent engagement mechanisms include: (1) targeted partnership development (2) operationalizing a Community Advisory Board (CAB) that was the key decision making body; (3) a majority of CAB members were parents who were positioned as experts, and (4) addressing structural barriers to parent participation. Lessons learned are provided for future research, and practice

Comparison of foods and beverages served and consumed in CACFP- participating childcare centers to national guidelines

Abstract Objective: The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sets minimum nutrition and portion size standards for meals served in participating childcare programs. CACFP has been associated with more nutritious meals served. It is unclear, however, whether CACFP results in childrens dietary intake being aligned with national recommendations. We assess whether childrens dietary intake in CACFP-participating childcare centers meets benchmarks set by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Design: This is a cross-sectional study. We used direct observation to estimate quantities of foods/beverages served and consumed per child. Mean amounts served per child per day were compared to CACFP portion size requirements for each component (fruits, vegetables, milk, meat/meat alternate). Mean amounts of foods/beverages consumed were compared to DGA recommendations (calories, fruits, vegetables, whole/refined grains, dairy, protein, added sugars). One sample t-tests evaluated if quantities served and consumed were different from CACFP and DGA standards, respectively. Setting: Six CACFP-participating childcare centers. Participants: 2-5 year-old children attending childcare. Results: We observed 46 children across 166 child-meals. Most meals served met CACFP nutrition standards. Compared to CACFP portion size standards, children were served more grains at breakfast and lunch; more fruits/vegetables at lunch but less at breakfast and snack; and less dairy at all eating occasions. Compared to DGA recommendations, children under-consumed every food/beverage category except grains during at least one eating occasion. Conclusions: Children were served quantities of foods/beverages mostly consistent with CACFP portion size requirements, but had sub-optimal intake relative to DGAs. More research is needed to help children consume healthy diets in childcare