The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59132

Kathryn E. Dutille¹, Sonia Carter, LDN², Susan Crowley, RN, BSN², Barbara R. Rosa², Anne Crowley², and AnnMarie Grinder, RD². (1) School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, Talbot 2 East, Boston, MA 02118, (617)638-5940, kdutille@bu.edu, (2) Head Start, Action for Boston Community Development, 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111

The increasing prevalence of overweight status among preschool children living in the United States is a growing public health concern because of its debilitating physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences that carry through adolescence and into adulthood.^1-4 The national rate of overweight status among 4-5 year-old children has increased 20% in six years (10.6% in 1994 to 12.7% in 2000).^5,6 The rate of overweight Head Start children in Boston has doubled in the past four years.⁷

The goal of the Living Well Task Force is to reduce childhood overweight among Head Start children in Boston by engaging parents in promoting physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in the home environment. To achieve this objective, the Living Well Task Force began by educating Head Start staff and then focusing on staff wellness, through the establishment of citywide exercise groups and nutrition education classes. Likewise, parent involvement has steadily increased in the support groups that have been forming in three Boston neighborhoods. South Boston has also begun a monthly sports night, which demonstrates the physical and emotional benefits of exercise for children and their parents. This presentation will describe how the Living Well Task Force proposals were implemented and will assess what impact they have on the Head Start children, families, and staff in Boston. The outcome measurement of overweight prevalence among Head Start children and the process measurement of participation rates at the various staff, parent and family events will determine the program’s success.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. List the components of the Living Well Task Force.
  7. Identify ways in which parents are involved in this strategy to combat overweight status in children.
  11. Describe the implementation process of the Living Well Task Force's recommendations to the Head Start programs in Boston.

Keywords: Obesity, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.