Early Care and Education Teacher's Role in Obesity Prevention and Healthy Development of Young American Indian Children.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how stakeholders, specifically early care and education (ECE) teachers, perceive their role in the development of young American Indian children, and envision working with health care providers and parents in order to enhance children's health. METHODOLOGY: Twenty tribally affiliated ECE teachers from Oklahoma participated in interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted, and three main themes, each with two to three subthemes, emerged. RESULTS: Teachers felt that nutrition and physical activity were important to children's health. Teachers had little professional interaction with health care providers but desired more. Parental empowerment was conveyed as essential to actualize positive changes in their child's behavior. DISCUSSION: Teachers of tribally affiliated ECE centers are important stakeholders in promoting the health and well-being of young American Indian children. Additional efforts are needed to more effectively integrate teachers and nurses in order to create effective interventions. We propose a stakeholder partnership to guide the development of future interventions.

Health Care Provider's Role in Obesity Prevention and Healthy Development of Young American Indian Children.

INTRODUCTION: Health care providers (HCPs) serving American Indian (AI) populations are critical stakeholders in promoting healthy weight-related behaviors of young AI children. The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how HCP perceive their role in the healthy development of young AI children, and how they envision working with early care and education teachers and parents to enhance children's health. METHOD: Twenty HCP that serve young AI children in Oklahoma participated in individual interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted on coded transcripts and three main themes, each with two to four subthemes were identified. RESULTS: HCP had limited contact with teachers, felt family health was equal or more important than child health, and parental empowerment and gradual change was essential for success. CONCLUSION: Creating ways to involve HCP, early care and education teachers, and parents together in multilevel and multisector interventions has the potential to improve the health of young AI children.