Evaluation of Child Care Staff Weight Management Program

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Dec 9, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to see if a special online program can help child care providers improve their health habits, which in turn may lead to healthier eating and more physical activity among preschool children aged 2 to 5 years. The study will involve 84 child care centers, where some centers will use a program called Go NAPSACC that helps directors make changes to promote better nutrition and activity for the kids. Other centers will participate in an enhanced version of this program, where not only the directors but also the classroom teachers will take part in a weight management program. Researchers want to find out if the centers that use the enhanced program see more significant improvements in children's diets, activity levels, and the overall environment in which they learn and play.

To be eligible for the study, child care centers must be open year-round, licensed, and have been operating for at least a year, with at least two classrooms for 2-5-year-olds. For teachers, they need to be at least 18 years old, not pregnant, and work in a classroom with participating children. Parents of the children must be able to read English and provide consent for their child's participation. Participants can expect to learn more about healthy living and contribute to changes that may lead to better health for themselves and the children they care for. This trial is a great opportunity to help create a healthier environment for young children while also supporting child care providers in their health journeys.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Child Care Centers:
• • Be open year-round
• • Licensed with no plans to close in the next 2 years
• • Been in operation for at least 1 year
• • Have at least two classrooms serving children 2-5 years-old
• • Serve at least lunch to the 2-5-year old children
• • Have no history of Go NAPSACC participation in the past 6 months
• • Two 2-5-year-old classroom providers and 4 parents from each classroom must provide consent to participate in the study
• Child Care Providers (Directors and Teachers):
• • Ability to provide informed consent.
• • Age 18 years or older.
• • Teacher only: Be a teacher in a 2-5-year-old classroom.
• • Teacher only: Not pregnant, nor planning to become pregnant in the next year
• Children:
• • Be in a classroom with a participating child care teacher.
• • Be 2-5 years old.
• • The consenting primary caregiver must be able to read English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Child Care Centers:
• • Serve only non-English speaking families

Trial Officials