Background With a recent focus on establishing US Dietary Guidance for children ages 0 to 2 years old, the objective of this qualitative study was to determine misconceptions and barriers that prevent parents from implementing early childhood feeding and obesity prevention practices as reported by healthcare, community-based, and education providers. Methods Trained researchers conducted one-on-one qualitative phone interviews, using a semi-structured script, with early childhood health and education providers working with families of young children. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the classic analysis approach. Transcripts were coded by researchers and analyzed for themes. Results Providers (n = 21) reported commonly observed obesogenic practices including overfeeding tendencies, early initiation of solids or less optimal feeding practices, lack of autonomy and self-regulation by child, and suboptimal dietary patterns. Sources of parental misconceptions about feeding were often related to cultural, familial, and media influences, or lack of knowledge about optimal feeding practices for infants or toddlers. Conclusions Providers indicated a need for engaging and consistent child feeding and obesity prevention education materials appropriate for diverse cultural and literacy levels of parents, with detailed information on transitioning to solid foods. Early education and community-based providers reported limited access to evidence-based educational materials more so than healthcare providers. It is an opportune time to develop reputable and evidence-based child feeding guidance that is readily available and accessible for parents of infants and toddlers to prevent early childhood obesity.

No abstract

nutrition and to increase physical activity among employees. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Via formative research, an extensive review of the worksite literature and existing programs; interviews and focus groups with business leaders; and focus groups with low-and middle-income working Californian adults was conducted on the California Fit Business Kit (Kit), a tool for assessing organizational need and readiness for PSE change. Description: Target audience were employees at worksites that qualify for SNAP-Ed programming. Based upon preliminary findings from formative research, promising strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at worksites were identified. The Michigan Fitness Foundation is currently implementing the Kit, an emerging intervention, among low-wage worksites participating in SNAP-Ed programming. Evaluation: This intervention is being conducted among 12 worksites using the Kit's Check for Health Scorecard, which is based on 12 wellness components related to nutrition and physical activity. Quantitative and qualitative results will be reported as basic descriptive statistics and themes using SPSS and NVivo, respectively. Conclusions and Implications: There are few tools available to date designed to prioritize PSE strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity at low-income worksites. The preliminary findings from the use of the Kit at California worksites will be compared to priority PSE strategies identified in Michigan worksites. This tool may be useful in assisting employers with improving employee health and reducing health care costs related to poor nutrition and sedentary behaviors among low-income populations.

BACKGROUND The study objective was to determine impact of a Farm‐to‐School intervention on low‐income, diverse elementary school students' nutrition‐related attitudes, self‐efficacy, behaviors, and locally grown vegetable choices. METHODS Six elementary schools within 1 US school district were equally assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: Local Message, Nutrition Message, or Control. Locally grown vegetables (kale, green beans, zucchini, butternut squash, and beets) were served twice during lunch over 16 weeks. “Local” and “Nutrition” groups also received biweekly nutrition education and a messaging campaign in the cafeteria. Knowledge, attitudes, self‐efficacy, and related behaviors were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Vegetable selection was assessed using the food service daily production records. General linear model analysis, analysis of covariance, and t tests were performed. RESULTS Students in the “Local” group (N = 81) had significantly improved nutrition‐related attitudes (p = .0001), preferences (p = .001), and overall vegetable behavior score (p = .002), compared to control (N = 79). There was no difference in overall locally grown vegetable choices, but local beet choices were higher in the “Local” (p = .005) and “Nutrition” (p = .02) groups compared to control. CONCLUSIONS Messages about local foods in school cafeterias may improve students' attitudes, preferences, and selection of certain locally grown vegetables.

No abstract