Increasing physical activity in early childhood; Program and policy approaches

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has found that obesity begins early: 27% of children in city Head Start programs are obese. Increasing the quantity and quality of physical activity is one strategy to help curb the rising obesity epidemic.

DOHMH provides day care staff with training in a physical activity curriculum for early childhood. The curriculum (SPARK Early Childhood) is designed to provide high energy, academically integrated, enjoyable activities for children ages 3-5. Training first began three years ago in day cares in the South Bronx, North and Central Brooklyn, and East and Central Harlem, where obesity rates are the highest in the city. In 2006, the training program was expanded to additional neighborhoods which also have a high prevalence of obesity, including Washington Heights, Jamaica Queens, and Staten Island.

Coinciding with this expansion, the New York City Health Code was amended to require 60 minutes per day of physical activity for children 12 months and older in full-day day care programs. For children ages three or older, at least 30 of these minutes must be structured and guided physical activity led by a teacher. Training in the physical activity curriculum enables teachers to fulfill the new requirements for structured physical activity.

As of January 1, 2007, approximately 2000 staff from 500 day cares (30% of licensed day care sites) have been trained in the curriculum. DOHMH's efforts represent an interface been mutually supportive programming and policy/environmental approaches to address child obesity.