Evaluation of \u201cHealthy Way to Grow\u201d: An Obesity Prevention Program in Early Care and Education Centers

Manica F Ramos,Kenza Woods,Julie Shuell,Lloyd Werk,Jennifer Weber,Tiffany Bamdad,Joy A Thompson

doi:10.1007/s10643-020-01102-z

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test a training and technical assistance program in early care and education (ECE) center-based programs focused on obesity prevention – Healthy Way to Grow (HWTG). After completing a self-assessment, ECE programs develop actionable policies to improve the wellness environment. Then, they receive individualized one-on-one support from a local, trained Child Care Specialist to develop, implement, and monitor policies. Three hundred and sixty ECE programs participated in HWTG for at least one year. Center-level outcomes were examined pre- and post-intervention, including the number of policies, wellness educational opportunities offered (to staff, families, and children), and monitoring wellness practices. A subset of centers was followed for five years to determine if the program results were sustained over time. Study findings revealed that after participating in HWTG for one year, centers developed more policies, provided more educational opportunities, and more frequently monitored wellness practices at ECE centers. Even with reduced training and technical assistance in years two through five of the program, centers were able to maintain gains in improvements to wellness environments. These findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of the HWTG wellness program and offer insights into how to support ECE programs to improve wellness environments.

Highlights

Childhood overweight and obesity impacts 40% of children between the ages of two and five, increasing their risk for numerous health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017)
This study examined whether Healthy Way to Grow (HWTG), a training and technical assistance intervention, could help early care and education (ECE) center directors develop and implement wellness policies and provide support, resources, and tools to sustain implementation of wellness policies
Our results demonstrate the sustainability of providing education and monitoring wellness policies to ECE centers

Summary

Introduction

Childhood overweight and obesity impacts 40% of children between the ages of two and five, increasing their risk for numerous health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017). With children spending a significant amount of time in early care and education (ECE) environments, ECE programs offer an opportunity to expose children, staff, and families to a culture of health. Research suggests that establishing ECE program policies around health and wellness is key in shifting the culture in ECE programs and impacting center practices (Schwartz et al 2017). Child Trends, Washington, DC, USA 2 American Heart Association, Dallas, TX, USA 3 Nemours, Jacksonville, FL, USA programs face challenges when developing and implementing wellness policies and practices, this study examined how ECE centers’ participation in a technical assistance program, Healthy Way to Grow, would facilitate their (1) development of wellness policies, and (2) corresponding education and monitoring of those policies. The goal of this study was to strengthen our understanding of the ways in which supporting ECE programs might improve health and wellness environments

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion