Evaluating Mass in Motion Kids (MiM Kids): A Multi‐Sector Intervention to Reduce Childhood Obesity Using a Community‐Clinical Partnership

Abstract

MiM Kids is one of three 4‐year projects funded through the CDC's Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Project to reduce obesity and improve health behaviors in children ages 2–12 years. Implemented in two low‐income communities in Massachusetts, MiM Kids uses evidence based interventions in clinics, schools, after‐school programs, child care, and the community at large. Using a combination of pre‐post time series and quasi‐experimental designs and comparing two intervention communities to one control community, the effectiveness of MiM Kids is examined in reference to individual lifestyle behaviors, change in body mass index (BMI), satisfaction with health care, and quality of life. Data collection integrates robust and efficient clinical and community data acquisition processes including school BMI data, electronic medical record extraction, parent surveys, environmental audits, document reviews, and community stakeholder interviews. In addition to the local evaluation, common measures developed in coordination with an evaluation center will be utilized across CORD sites. Community interventions hold great promise, but there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of multi‐sector interventions. MiM Kids and its evaluation advances community nutrition intervention science by filling this gap. Findings may inform local and state policy and future community interventions.Grant Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: U18DP003370–01. This work is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the CDC.