The Bienestar/NEEMA Early Childhood Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Program: a Formative Evaluation

Abstract

To conduct a formative evaluation of the current iteration of the Bienestar/NEEMA Early Childhood Diabetes and Obesity Prevention Program to determine whether the curriculum was feasible and met instructional goals within a preschool learning environment. American children are struggling with weight problems at earlier ages. Preschool child care settings provide an environment critical to the development of nutritious food and physical activity habits in children under their care. Based on Social Cognitive Theory, the bilingual Bienestar/NEEMA program has been successfully implemented in Texas elementary and middle schools for the past 15 years. Utilizing input from bilingual preschool teachers and 3 and 4 year old children attending a primarily Hispanic Head Start preschool program in San Antonio, TX, the bilingual Bienestar/NEEMA Early Childhood Diabetes and Obesity Prevention Program was developed. This exploratory study was conducted with preschoolers (n=88),attending a Head Start school in Denton, County, TX, as well as their teachers, parents and a Child Nutrition professional. Following the implementation of the curriculum, input was collected from participating teachers, parents, and a Child Nutrition professional through focus group discussions and an interview. Qualitative analysis procedures and the constant comparative method were used to analyze the data. Findings indicate the program to be feasible and acceptable within the preschool learning environment. Longitudinal studies using a larger sample are needed to determine the behavior outcomes of the program on children, and their families. Results of this study provide important information concerning the design and implementation of evidence-based diabetes and obesity for preschoolers.