Feasibility and Acceptability of an Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention: Results from the Healthy Homes, Healthy Families Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Akilah Dulin Keita (Author), Patricia M. Risica (Author), Kelli L. Drenner (Author), Ingrid Adams (Author), Gemma Gorham (Author), Kim M. Gans (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Hindawi Limited, 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based early childhood obesity prevention intervention designed to empower low-income racially/ethnically diverse parents to modify their children's health behaviors. Methods. We used a prospective design with pre-/posttest evaluation of 50 parent-child pairs (children aged 2 to 5 years) to examine potential changes in dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors among children at baseline and four-month follow-up. Results. 39 (78%) parent-child pairs completed evaluation data at 4-month follow-up. Vegetable intake among children significantly increased at follow-up (0.54 cups at 4 months compared to 0.28 cups at baseline, P=0.001) and ounces of fruit juice decreased at follow-up (11.9 ounces at 4 months compared to 16.0 ounces at baseline, P=0.036). Sedentary behaviors also improved. Children significantly decreased time spent watching TV on weekdays (P<0.01) and also reduced weekend TV time. In addition, the number of homes with TV sets in the child's bedroom also decreased (P<0.0013). Conclusions. The findings indicate that a home-based early childhood obesity prevention intervention is feasible, acceptable and demonstrates short-term effects on dietary and sedentary behaviors of low-income racially/ethnically diverse children.

Item Description

2090-0708
2090-0716
10.1155/2014/378501