RAISE (Raising Infants to Be Smart Eaters) Pilot Study.

Background: Many of the complex determinants of obesity originate during infancy when small changes in the environment can permanently influence appetite, behavior, and energy metabolism. Parent feeding style ("how" rather than "what" to feed) has emerged as a potentially important factor in early obesity prevention. Objectives: (1) To assess the feasibility of conducting a brief responsive feeding education intervention by public health nurses during routine well-baby visits. (2) To assess whether this intervention affects parents' attitudes and behavior related to responsive feeding. Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative pilot study conducted in two communities. Intervention participants were exposed to enhanced responsive feeding education by public health nurses at routine well-baby visits from 0 to 18 months along with wall posters, handouts, automated text messages and tangible takeaways. Parent knowledge and behavior were measured using the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire and the Toddler Development Index. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by patients and nurses through open text feedback forms and mid-point and exit interviews. Results: Recruitment (18 intervention; 9 control) and retention fell below targets. Average adherence to protocol by nurses from 0 to 12 months was 89%. Delivery of the intervention was feasible and acceptable, but the additional research-related tasks were challenging in a busy clinical setting. Parents found the different formats and information new and helpful. There was a trend toward less nonresponsive (pressuring, restrictive, laissez-faire) feeding practices in the intervention group. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated encouraging results related to overall feasibility and effect on parent feeding style.

Parents' perceptions of obesity prevention during infancy: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Infancy appears to be a critical period for establishing a person's weight set point. It remains unclear which interventions during infancy may be most effective in preventing later obesity and which ones are most acceptable to parents. The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of parents of children aged 2 years and under toward different obesity prevention messages and their preferences with regard to these messages. METHODS: Using a qualitative research design, we conducted semistructured interviews followed by a focus group. Parents of children under 2 years of age were purposively recruited from 2 communities in British Columbia, Canada, and asked for their opinions about various health promotion messages relating to obesity prevention. A theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Thirty-three parents participated in the study. Participants reported that many of the current recommendations (no screen time, no sugary beverages) are unrealistic, unclear and inconsistent, making them difficult to follow and causing parents to feel guilty; they had a more positive response to the feeding roles message. Parents noted the importance of starting education early and targeting the broader community. INTERPRETATION: Several important and interesting themes were identified in this study, which increases our understanding of parents' attitudes toward and preferences for the messages presented. Obesity prevention information for today's busy parents needs to be realistic, supportive and timely.

From "best practice" to "next practice": the effectiveness of school-based health promotion in improving healthy eating and physical activity and preventing childhood obesity.

BACKGROUND: In 2005, we reported on the success of Comprehensive School Health (CSH) in improving diets, activity levels, and body weights. The successful program was recognized as a "best practice" and has inspired the development of the Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy Eating (APPLE) Schools. The project includes 10 schools, most of which are located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. The present study examines the effectiveness of a CSH program adopted from a "best practice" example in another setting by evaluating temporal changes in diets, activity levels and body weight. METHODS: In 2008 and 2010, we surveyed grade 5 students from approximately 150 randomly selected schools from the Canadian province of Alberta and students from 10 APPLE Schools. Students completed the Harvard Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire, questions on physical activity, and had their height and weight measured. Multilevel regression methods were used to analyze changes in diets, activity levels, and body weight between 2008 and 2010. RESULTS: In 2010 relative to 2008, students attending APPLE Schools were eating more fruits and vegetables, consuming fewer calories, were more physically active and were less likely obese. These changes contrasted changes observed among students elsewhere in the province. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence on the effectiveness of CSH in improving health behaviors. They show that an example of "best practice" may lead to success in another setting. Herewith the study provides the evidence that investments for broader program implementation based on "best practice" are justified.

Raising healthy children: Moral and political responsibility for childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity and chronic disease rates continue to climb, but policy and programme responses are mainly limited to education and awareness activities. These encourage individuals to make responsible lifestyle choices. Regulation and environmental change have a minor role, as they involve more intrusive roles for government, invading traditionally private domains of nutrition and physical activity. But to address children's health needs, today's emphasis on self-management is inappropriate. Children, especially the very young, are dependent and vulnerable. I describe why the current public health strategies, with their political and moral foundations, remain ineffective. The foundations are based primarily upon the traditional liberal understanding of the public/private divide, while neglecting to recognize the legal obligations and implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and theories of justice and citizenship as they apply to children.

Publically funded recreation facilities: obesogenic environments for children and families?

Increasing healthy food options in public venues, including recreational facilities, is a health priority. The purpose of this study was to describe the public recreation food environment in British Columbia, Canada using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Facility audits assessed policy, programs, vending, concessions, fundraising, staff meetings and events. Focus groups addressed context and issues related to action. Eighty-eighty percent of facilities had no policy governing food sold or provided for children/youth programs. Sixty-eight percent of vending snacks were chocolate bars and chips while 57% of beverages were sugar sweetened. User group fundraisers held at the recreation facilities also sold 'unhealthy' foods. Forty-two percent of recreation facilities reported providing user-pay programs that educated the public about healthy eating. Contracts, economics, lack of resources and knowledge and motivation of staff and patrons were barriers to change. Recreation food environments were obesogenic but stakeholders were interested in change. Technical support, resources and education are needed.