Use of Engaging Online Videos in Conjunction With New Feeding Content to Enhance a Current EFNEP Program

Abstract

ObjectiveResearchers have posited that inclusion of the family may be necessary in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Parenting practices that thwart children’s ability to pay attention to internal cues of hunger and fullness may contribute to childhood obesity. The overall purpose of this study is to add parenting content to the widely used Eating Smart * Being Active Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. This will be accomplished by modifying previously developed videos for use in the parenting curriculum which will provide parents with appropriate tools to use in feeding their children.DescriptionParticipants will be mothers who are participating in the Eating Smart Being Active EFNEP nutrition program in the states of Colorado and Washington. Parenting curriculum will be delivered in addition to the nutrition program in one of two conditions – online versus in-person.EvaluationCurrently, the parent curriculum is being developed along with the website and activities for use in the online condition and activities for the in-person condition. Modifications to the existing video recordings have been made and additional footage produced. Next steps will include piloting the program. Modifications will be made based on the pilot prior to commencing the randomized controlled trial. Evaluations to the program will take place at pre-, post-, at 6 and 12 months.ConclusionsChildhood obesity prevention efforts have rarely been successful. Incorporating parents in prevention efforts may be a missing link in combatting childhood obesity.FundingUSDA Grant #2015-68001-23311 ObjectiveResearchers have posited that inclusion of the family may be necessary in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Parenting practices that thwart children’s ability to pay attention to internal cues of hunger and fullness may contribute to childhood obesity. The overall purpose of this study is to add parenting content to the widely used Eating Smart * Being Active Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. This will be accomplished by modifying previously developed videos for use in the parenting curriculum which will provide parents with appropriate tools to use in feeding their children. Researchers have posited that inclusion of the family may be necessary in childhood obesity prevention efforts. Parenting practices that thwart children’s ability to pay attention to internal cues of hunger and fullness may contribute to childhood obesity. The overall purpose of this study is to add parenting content to the widely used Eating Smart * Being Active Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. This will be accomplished by modifying previously developed videos for use in the parenting curriculum which will provide parents with appropriate tools to use in feeding their children. DescriptionParticipants will be mothers who are participating in the Eating Smart Being Active EFNEP nutrition program in the states of Colorado and Washington. Parenting curriculum will be delivered in addition to the nutrition program in one of two conditions – online versus in-person. Participants will be mothers who are participating in the Eating Smart Being Active EFNEP nutrition program in the states of Colorado and Washington. Parenting curriculum will be delivered in addition to the nutrition program in one of two conditions – online versus in-person. EvaluationCurrently, the parent curriculum is being developed along with the website and activities for use in the online condition and activities for the in-person condition. Modifications to the existing video recordings have been made and additional footage produced. Next steps will include piloting the program. Modifications will be made based on the pilot prior to commencing the randomized controlled trial. Evaluations to the program will take place at pre-, post-, at 6 and 12 months. Currently, the parent curriculum is being developed along with the website and activities for use in the online condition and activities for the in-person condition. Modifications to the existing video recordings have been made and additional footage produced. Next steps will include piloting the program. Modifications will be made based on the pilot prior to commencing the randomized controlled trial. Evaluations to the program will take place at pre-, post-, at 6 and 12 months. ConclusionsChildhood obesity prevention efforts have rarely been successful. Incorporating parents in prevention efforts may be a missing link in combatting childhood obesity. Childhood obesity prevention efforts have rarely been successful. Incorporating parents in prevention efforts may be a missing link in combatting childhood obesity.