Choose to Change: An Early
Childhood Obesity Intervention
Prevention Project in West Virginia
with Focus on
Healthy Lifestyle Modification
Presented by
Kara Viggiano, MPH
Choose to Change
Choose to Change Description
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The Choose to Change Project
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Early childhood obesity prevention study,
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uses an ecological approach to explore individual, family,
and environmental factors that influence weight status
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Prekindergarten (Pre-K) populations
Biometric data, surveys and program evaluations were used to
indicate the health improvements families made during each
intervention.
Project Objectives
1.
Identify environmental and behavioral factors that act as
barriers to attainment of recommended physical activity
(PA) levels in childhood.
2.
Implement and evaluate obesity prevention strategies.
3.
Increase community knowledge and awareness of healthy
food and physical environments
4.
Conduct pediatric obesity prevention educational events.
Family Fun Events
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Four events held throughout the school year
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Choosy Families Eat Together
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Choosy Families Play Together
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Choosy Families Cook Together
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Healthy Summer Fun
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During each event, parents attended an informational session while
children enjoyed activities related to the theme.
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Special guest Choosy, a health hero, attended events.
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Families were given a Choose to Change bag containing informational
materials from that session as well as a book to read to their children
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Materials were mailed to participants who did not participate in family fun
events
Evaluations/Surveys
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Evaluations were administered during the family fun events
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Online validated surveys were taken by participants at the beginning
and end of each respective cohort.
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Family Food Habits Survey
Consumer Behavior Survey
Twin Cities Walking Survey
Block Survey – Food Frequency
Preschool Aged Children Physical
Activity Questionnaire
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Home Food Gardening Survey
Food Security Survey
Diet History Questionnaire II
Health Status Survey
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Results
Lessons Learned

Families in attendance reported intentions to change behaviors such as
making changes to sit down and have meals as a family, cook as a family, and
participate in more physical activities as a family.

When parents focus on specific healthy lifestyle behaviors and skills, they
report intention to practice the behavior.
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Research more about the families’ habits that make them successful.