A Comprehensive Evaluation of an Interprofessional Initiative to Promote Healthy Eating & Physical Activity in Early Childcare and Education

Background: Obesity prevention is a key goal of a center-based early care and education program serving 200 children, aged six weeks to five years, in the United States (U.S.). Over the past 48 months the center has developed... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Obesity prevention is a key goal of a center-based early care and education program serving 200 children, aged six weeks to five years, in the United States (U.S.). Over the past 48 months the center has developed a multi-strategy interprofessional approach to enhance nutrition and physical activity.

Aims and Objectives: The purpose was to evaluate an innovative comprehensive, coordinated system wide community based initiative using the Social Ecological Model within a six step program evaluation framework.

Description of Innovation: Partnering with University Schools of Nursing, Nutrition, and Early Childhood Education and the ‘I Am Moving, I Am Learning’ U.S. national initiative, administrators, teachers, school nurse, fitness expert, pediatric nurse practitioners, cook, families and children participate in an extensive program of activities extending to the classroom, where physical activity and healthy eating are deliberately included in daily schedule. Recognizing that family engagement is key to positive outcomes for children, the center engages parents throughout the curriculum.

Impact of Innovation: Let’s Move! Child Care, a nationwide call-to-action to empower early education and child care programs to make sustained positive health changes in children, has twice selected this center to be recognized for this endeavor. The awards note the center’s use of creative strategies, engagement of families in obesity prevention efforts, and success in overcoming challenges to get children moving and encouraging healthy eating in the early care and education setting. Program evaluation indicates continued success as evidenced against the standards of utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy. Multiple measures used include Body Mass Index (BMI) Tracking, parental and staff surveys, and student evaluations.

Conclusions and Implications: Strategies to assist professionals to support children and families to meet the challenges of leading a balanced healthy lifestyle are explored. Suggestions on implementing community program evaluation process are shared.