Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed electronic journal established by the National Center for Prevention and Health Promotion. PCD provides an open exchange of information knowledge among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, others who strive to improve health public through chronic disease prevention.

Snacking contributes to excessive energy intakes in children. Yet factors shaping child snacking are virtually unstudied. This study examines food parenting practices specific among low-income caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted English or Spanish with 60 caregivers of preschool-aged children (18 non-Hispanic white, 22 African American/Black, 20 Hispanic; 92 % mothers). A structured interview guide was used solicit caregivers' definitions and strategies they use decide...

Background: Childhood obesity is highly prevalent, associated with both short- and long-term adverse outcomes, disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority economically deprived children, represents a major threat to public health. Among the most promising approaches for its prevention management are multilevel, multisector strategies. Methods/Design: The Massachusetts Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) Study was comprehensive, systematic intervention prevent reduce childhood...

The Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) project is a 2-year, multilevel, multisector community intervention to prevent and control obesity among children 2-12 years of age from two predominantly low-income communities in Massachusetts. MA-CORD includes evidence-based interventions multiple sectors, including health centers, early care education schools, afterschool programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants Children, broader...

Although American children snack more than ever before, the parental role in promoting snacking is not well understood. In 2012–2013 at baseline an intervention study to prevent childhood obesity low-income Massachusetts communities, n = 271 parents of aged 2–12 years completed surveys regarding nutritive and non-nutritive reasons they offered snacks, demographics, dietary factors. An analysis variance demonstrated that reported offering snacks (mean/week; standard deviation (SD)) for like...

Background: Identifying characteristics associated with the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommended feeding practices among infant and toddler care providers in child centers could help preventing childhood obesity. Methods: In 2009, at baseline a pilot intervention study 29 licensed Massachusetts least 50% enrolled children identified as racial minorities, 57 109 completed questionnaires. To assess provider adherence to six IOM-recommended behaviors, we used cluster-adjusted multivariable...

Prevalence of pediatric neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders (ND/MHD) is increasing in the United States globally. ND/MHD are associated with higher risk poor dietary, physical activity (PA), screen, sleep habits youth, contributing to elevated lifetime chronic disease risk. symptoms can present unique challenges parenting, create competing parenting priorities, may decrease parental capacity instill healthy habits. Unfortunately, literature characterizing youth sparse. The...

Although television (TV) viewing is frequently paired with snacking among young children, little known about the environment in which caregivers promote this behaviour. We describe low-income pre-schoolers' and TV habits as reported by their primary caregivers, including social/physical contexts, types of snacks caregiver rationales for offering snacks. These findings may support development effective messages to healthy child snacking.Semi-structured interviews assessed conceptualizations...

The etiology of childhood obesity is multidimensional and includes individual, familial, organizational, societal factors. Policymakers researchers are promoting social-ecological approaches to prevention that encompass multiple community sectors. Programs successfully engage low-income families in making healthy choices greatly needed, yet little known about the extent which stakeholders understand complexity barriers encountered by families. objective this study was contextually frame...

As children now spend increasing amounts of time in out-of-home care, care providers play an important role promoting positive health behaviors. Little is currently known about providers' perceptions and beliefs physical activity, particularly for very young children. This study describes infants' toddlers' assesses their knowledge activity guidelines, to establish if where may need support promote child settings.

Objective To examine changes in prevalence of obesity and target health behaviors (fruit, vegetable, beverage consumption; physical activity; screen time; sleep duration) among students from communities that participated the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA‐CORD) project compared to controls. Methods MA‐CORD was implemented two low‐income communities. School‐level first, fourth, seventh grades calculated for intervention nine matched control pre post intervention....

Children with autism spectrum disorder often face nutrition-related challenges, such as food selectivity, gastrointestinal issues, overweight and obesity, inadequate nutrient intake. However, the role of routine screening or care by interdisciplinary health professionals is not well understood. This study aimed to compare beliefs those parents autistic children regarding high-priority barriers facilitators care, desired education resources related nutrition for children.Interdisciplinary (n...

ABSTRACT Objective To assess parent preferences for utilisation of a parent-focused, telephone-based coaching service, or ‘FITLINE,’ to prevent manage childhood obesity. Methods A cross-sectional survey parents children aged 2–12 years was conducted at paediatric practice in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, USA, between July 2012 and May 2013. Parents received questionnaires with clinic visit paperwork opted-in the study by returning them staff mail. The anonymous pen-to-paper questionnaire...

Background: Children with neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders (N/MHD), such as autism spectrum, mood disorders, anxiety, are more likely to engage in excessive screen time, receive insufficient sleep, have obesity than neurotypical peers. However, little is known about how parents of these children approach promoting sleep balanced time. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews 24 aged 8–15 years a diagnosis N/MHD assess barriers facilitators Interviews were transcribed,...

Snacking among preschool aged children is nearly universal and has been associated with overconsumed nutrients, particularly solid fats added sugars (SoFAS). This research examined caregivers' schemas, or cognitive frameworks, for offering snacks to preschool-aged children.A qualitative design utilizing card sort methods was employed. Participants were 59 Black, Hispanic, White caregivers of 3-5 years low-income backgrounds. Caregivers sorted 63 cards images commonly consumed foods/beverages...

With the increasing variety of snack foods containing probiotics infiltrating market, it is important that consumers become more aware and knowledgeable about these products. The aim current study was to investigate potential consumers’ behavior by assessing knowledge probiotics, awareness frequently consumed snacks among student college departments within a university setting. Participants included 125 students (n = 34 male, n 91 female), all 18 years older, evaluated via 19-item...

Introduction. This case study describes the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study (MA-CORD) health marketing campaign, examines strategies used in such campaigns, and offers lessons learned to improve for future interventions. MA-CORD Health Marketing Components Implementation. The three main components were an outdoor printed advertisement texting social media with a focus on Facebook, Summer Passport Program, event-based initiative parks children. advertisements...

While childhood involvement in sports increases physical activity, snacks at sporting events are often suboptimal. Using the health belief model as a theoretical framework, this study evaluated factors influencing parents’ selection of team Southern California youth basketball league. Survey responses ( N = 99) suggest health, convenience, and child’s snack preference influenced selections; however, most parents did not desire changes snacks. Parents desiring n 35) prioritized nutrient...