The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37769

Nicole Angelique Kerr, MPH, RD¹, Robin Hamre, RD, MPH¹, and William H. Dietz, MD². (1) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE MS K-46, Atlanta, GA 30341, (2) DNPA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341

OBESITY PREVENTION THROUGH PARENTING STRATEGIES

As part of the solution for addressing the obesity epidemic, many parents need feeding and parenting guidelines. The CDC has partnered with American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and Wake Forest University to conduct a pilot research study. Pediatricians and nutritionists will intervene on the home environment before health habits that promote overweight are firmly established. CDC conducted focus groups with parents of children 3 to 7 years old to help guide the intervention messages. Messages focused on child feeding practices and television time in order to help parents model and support a healthy lifestyle for their children. Eight focus groups were conducted in two cities during December 2001. These included 4 groups of traditional families, 2 groups of blended families/second marriage, and 2 groups of fathers. Participants were Caucasian and African American. Results will be presented that address the objectives of the study, which include: (1) determine the perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes of parents regarding healthy eating practices, (2) determine who is responsible for decisions concerning food choices in the home, (3) assess what parents are willing to do to prevent childhood obesity (change their own behavior), (4) assess the incentives that will motivate parents to begin serving more healthy foods to their children, and (5)evaluation of tip sheets.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain further insight into the perceptions, opinions and attitudes of parents of young children regarding television viewing and healthy eating.
• Participants will be able to describe messaging concepts used.

Keywords: Obesity, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CDC, AAP, ADA
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.