The Colorado LEAP Study: A Socioecological Approach to Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 4 - 7 |
| Updated: | 7/26/2018 |
| Start Date: | September 2010 |
| End Date: | July 2017 |
A Longitudinal Study to Assess if the Effectiveness of a Preschool Nutrition and Physical Activity Program is Sustained in Elementary School
The Colorado Longitudinal Eating And Physical activity (LEAP) Study utilizes a social
ecological approach to explore individual, family and environmental factors and their
relationship to child weight status over a 3 year timeframe. Our primary research questions
are as follows:
1. Are behavior changes (increased willingness to try new foods and gross motor skills)
from a preschool nutrition and activity program, The Food Friends®, sustained through
early elementary school?
2. Do The Food Friends® programs have an impact on reducing the percentage of children
considered overweight and/or obese over a 3 year timeframe?
3. Do food preference and gross motor performance directly affect child weight status or
are they mediators to dietary intake and physical activity?
ecological approach to explore individual, family and environmental factors and their
relationship to child weight status over a 3 year timeframe. Our primary research questions
are as follows:
1. Are behavior changes (increased willingness to try new foods and gross motor skills)
from a preschool nutrition and activity program, The Food Friends®, sustained through
early elementary school?
2. Do The Food Friends® programs have an impact on reducing the percentage of children
considered overweight and/or obese over a 3 year timeframe?
3. Do food preference and gross motor performance directly affect child weight status or
are they mediators to dietary intake and physical activity?
The preschool years are a critical time to begin obesity prevention efforts as they represent
a time when young children establish healthy eating habits and physical activity patterns.
These habits can place children at risk for obesity and are shaped by many characteristics,
including individual characteristics as well as school, family and societal environmental
characteristics. Predictive behaviors, or behavioral antecedents, within these environments
can influence child behaviors. While many predictive behaviors have been shown to influence
dietary intake, physical activity, and weight status, two potential behavioral antecedents -
food preference and motor performance - need further exploration. Understanding the context
in which child behavioral patterns are developed is critical to developing a model to address
childhood obesity.
The Colorado LEAP project is a longitudinal cohort study utilizing a controlled
quasi-experimental design in 5 rural Colorado communities. Two communities serve as
intervention communities with the other 3 as matched controls. Intervention sites receive The
Food Friends® nutrition and physical activity programs in preschool and 'booster' programming
in kindergarten and 1st grade. Assessments are administered 4 times - twice in preschool
(Fall and Spring) and once in both kindergarten and 1st grade (Spring). Observational
measures with children are conducted at the school; parent/home measures are sent home and
returned to school via the child; and school personnel complete school environment and policy
assessments.
a time when young children establish healthy eating habits and physical activity patterns.
These habits can place children at risk for obesity and are shaped by many characteristics,
including individual characteristics as well as school, family and societal environmental
characteristics. Predictive behaviors, or behavioral antecedents, within these environments
can influence child behaviors. While many predictive behaviors have been shown to influence
dietary intake, physical activity, and weight status, two potential behavioral antecedents -
food preference and motor performance - need further exploration. Understanding the context
in which child behavioral patterns are developed is critical to developing a model to address
childhood obesity.
The Colorado LEAP project is a longitudinal cohort study utilizing a controlled
quasi-experimental design in 5 rural Colorado communities. Two communities serve as
intervention communities with the other 3 as matched controls. Intervention sites receive The
Food Friends® nutrition and physical activity programs in preschool and 'booster' programming
in kindergarten and 1st grade. Assessments are administered 4 times - twice in preschool
(Fall and Spring) and once in both kindergarten and 1st grade (Spring). Observational
measures with children are conducted at the school; parent/home measures are sent home and
returned to school via the child; and school personnel complete school environment and policy
assessments.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Children enrolled in participating schools; entering kindergarten the year after
recruitment
Exclusion Criteria:
- Children not entering kindergarten within one year of recruitment.
We found this trial at
6
sites
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