Source: University of Maryland Eastern Shore submitted to
AN EVALUATION OF APPROACHES TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN CHILDCARE CENTERS IN A RURAL SETTING
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1000143
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MDX-CO-20141201
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Dec 1, 2014
Project End Date
Nov 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Long, DO, M.
Recipient Organization
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
11868 College Backborne Road
Princess Anne,MD 21853
Performing Department
Human Ecology
Non Technical Summary
Childhood obesity is a national problem and a major public health concern. Over the past 30 years, obesity has more than doubled among U.S. children ages 2 to 5. The most common causes of childhood obesity are unhealthy eating patterns and a lack of physical activity. Research has shown that obese children are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. An urgent need exists to find viable options for actions to mitigate this problem as obesity is linked to increased risks for high cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers and mental health problems.Childcare centers are community resources providing the opportunity to positively impact the lives of preschool children and their families. Since children enrolled in full-day programs receive more than half of their daily nutritional intake while in care, serving nutritious meals can play a pivotal role in improving healthy food choices, promoting a healthy body image and averting childhood obesity. Time spent at the center can also be used to promote an active lifestyle. A holistic approach to providing an environment that promotes healthy eating, active lifestyle, concern for each other and the environment can foster lifelong habits.This project will develop sound research-based materials that can be used to promote healthy and active lifestyles for preschool children enrolled in childcare centers in the tri-county area.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
72460203020100%
Knowledge Area
724 - Healthy Lifestyle;

Subject Of Investigation
6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to instill habits in preschool children that promote lifelong healthy and active lifestyles. The specific objectives are to:Assess the effectiveness and acceptability of practices that promote increased intake of fruits and vegetables for preschool children in a rural and multicultural setting.Evaluate the adoption and impact of age-appropriate practices that promote increased physical activities for preschool children in a rural and multicultural setting.
Project Methods
A single-group experiment using a pre-post research design with intervention will be used for both objectives. This research design will determine whether the interventions have the intended effect on the participants. Data will be collected from the participants before the interventions and the same data will be collected after the interventions. The researchers will analyze the differences in the pre-test and post-test results to determine the degree of change that occurred as a result of the interventions.Objective 1: Assess the effectiveness and acceptability of practices that promote increased intake of fruits and vegetables for preschool children in a rural and multicultural setting.Year OneThe pre-test will be conducted individually with the participants during each of the seasons to determine their familiarity with the selected fruits and vegetables and their taste acceptance and level of willingness to consume the raw and/or healthfully cooked version of the selected fruits and vegetables.The overall most accepted and consumed fruits and vegetables from the target group will be included in the childcare program's 5-week cycle menu.The overall least accepted and consumed fruits and vegetables from the pre-test session will be selected for the intervention phase to determine if participants' acceptability and consumption can be improved.The intervention will include a variety of meaningful and age-appropriate activities such as guest speakers, field trips, books and storytelling, taste-testing, using the senses to explore, cooking, literacy, math, science and art activities. Data logs and anecdotal and observational data will be collected during each of the weekly intervention sessions.At the end of the season, post-tests of the three least preferred vegetables/fruits will be conducted. In addition to rating, their comments will be recorded. The intervention curriculum will be modified and refined based upon the data collection and analysis to determine to what extent each intervention technique impacted the participants' acceptance and intake of the targeted fruits and vegetables.Year Two - Modify Intervention Activities and Develop PartnershipsRepeat the seasonal pre-test, intervention and post-test design as implemented in year one.The revised weekly intervention curriculum will be implemented. Data will be collected and analyzed.Community and/or campus childcare center partnerships will be developed in order to encourage the replication of the project design in programs serving differing populations of preschoolers.The tested and revised intervention curriculum and resources will be compiled electronically for distribution to local childcare centers and providers.Objective 2: Evaluate the adoption and impact of age-appropriate practices that promote increased physical activities for preschool children in a rural and multicultural setting.Year One - Identify ActivitiesThe pre-test will determine participants' incoming movement abilities at the start of the semester.The intervention phase will be implemented on a weekly basis throughout the semester. Record logs and skill set checklists of each of the participants' skills will be collected during the weekly intervention sessions.The post-test will determine participants' outgoing movement abilities at the end of the semester.The same pre-test, intervention and post-test design will be repeated during the spring semester.The intervention curriculum will be modified and refined based upon the data collection and analysis during the summer.Year Two - Revise Activities, Develop Training ModulesRepeat the fall and spring semester pre-test, intervention and post-test design as implemented in year one. Half of the participants in year two will be new and half will continue with the program. Community and/or campus childcare center partnerships will be developed in order to encourage the replication of the project design in programs serving different populations of preschoolers.The tested and revised intervention curriculum and resources will be compiled electronically for distribution to local childcare centers and providers.