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Improving Head Start's system of communicating children's weight status and BMI scores to caregivers
Author(s) -
DuBois Matthew R,
Hoffman Jessica,
Carter Sonia,
Bottino Clement,
Nethersole Shari,
Cox Colin,
Sceppa Carmen,
Wirth Cathy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.37.8
Subject(s) - head start , overweight , early head start , general partnership , body mass index , focus group , childhood obesity , medicine , psychology , gerontology , family medicine , developmental psychology , business , finance , pathology , marketing , economics
Members of a community‐academic partnership collaborated to strengthen Head Start‐family communication regarding children's weight status. Head Start serves low‐income preschoolers and is mandated to measure children's Body Mass Index (BMI). Head Start staff was concerned because 40% of their children are categorized as overweight/obese and caregivers rarely respond to letters reporting BMI data. In spring 2012, academic partners collaborated with Head Start to form a working group to improve BMI communication with caregivers. As compared to baseline, working group participants rated childhood obesity as significantly more important after completing the group process. A task force was then formed to prioritize and implement group recommendations. Two recommendations were implemented in fall 2012; creating a staff training about healthy weight and revising the BMI letter. Following the training, staff felt more prepared to talk to caregivers about BMI and reported the revised BMI letter was easy to understand. Next, focus groups were held at four Head Start programs to evaluate caregiver perceptions of the revised letter. Caregivers reported that the letter was helpful and provided valuable information. Overall, the partnership improved Head Start's capacity to provide caregivers with important health information about their children. Support: Northeastern University, Boston Children's Hospital.