Alison Tovar1, M Elizabeth Miller2, Virginia C Stage3, Jessica A Hoffman4, Emily Hill Guseman5,6, Susan Sisson7, Dana Shefet3, Sara E Bejamin-Neelon8, Taren Swindle9, Saima Hasnin10, Marco Beltran11. 1. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA. 2. Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA. 3. Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. 4. Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. 5. Diabetes Institute, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH, USA. 6. Department of Primary Care, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH, USA. 7. Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. 8. Division of Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. 9. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. 10. Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA. 11. Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, USA.
Abstract
Background: Although there is a federal mandate to collect anthropometric data in Head Start (HS), little is currently known about the processes used to collect the height and weight measurements across programs and how the results are communicated to parents/guardians. The goal of this study was to understand anthropometric data collection and dissemination procedures in a sample of HS programs serving children 3-5 years. Methods: A convenience sample of HS Health or Nutrition managers were recruited via personal contacts and HS state directors to complete an electronic survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations and frequencies). Open-ended questions were coded using thematic analysis. All protocols and procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Miami University. Results: Approximately half of the programs reported that they have a protocol in place to guide measurements (57.1%) and those measurements are primarily taken by HS staff (64.5%). Most programs explain measurements to parents (82.3%) and report that collecting height/weight data is helpful in supporting children's health (76.0%). Most programs (80.3%) provide resources to parents of children with overweight or obesity. Four themes emerged from open-ended responses: (1) Role of Community Partners (e.g., providing information that conflicts with others); (2) Communicating Children's Weight Status with Families (e.g., using sensitive communication methods); (3) Challenges Measuring Children's Weight Status (e.g., accuracy of data, children's awareness); and (4) Family Reaction to Weight Status Communication (e.g., positive or negative experiences). Conclusion: Opportunities for quality improvement include wider use of standardized, written protocols and policies on data collection and enhanced communication practices to share information with parents.
Background: Although there is a federal mandate to collect anthropometric data in Head Start (HS), little is currently known about the processes used to collect the height and weight measurements across programs and how the results are communicated to parents/guardians. The goal of this study was to understand anthropometric data collection and dissemination procedures in a sample of HS programs serving children 3-5 years. Methods: A convenience sample of HS Health or Nutrition managers were recruited via personal contacts and HS state directors to complete an electronic survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations and frequencies). Open-ended questions were coded using thematic analysis. All protocols and procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Miami University. Results: Approximately half of the programs reported that they have a protocol in place to guide measurements (57.1%) and those measurements are primarily taken by HS staff (64.5%). Most programs explain measurements to parents (82.3%) and report that collecting height/weight data is helpful in supporting children's health (76.0%). Most programs (80.3%) provide resources to parents of children with overweight or obesity. Four themes emerged from open-ended responses: (1) Role of Community Partners (e.g., providing information that conflicts with others); (2) Communicating Children's Weight Status with Families (e.g., using sensitive communication methods); (3) Challenges Measuring Children's Weight Status (e.g., accuracy of data, children's awareness); and (4) Family Reaction to Weight Status Communication (e.g., positive or negative experiences). Conclusion: Opportunities for quality improvement include wider use of standardized, written protocols and policies on data collection and enhanced communication practices to share information with parents.
Entities:
Keywords:
BMI communication; BMI screening; Head Start; child care; obesity
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