“Healthy Kids, Healthy Future: Promising Practices and Policies for Obesity Prevention and Health Promotion in Early Care and Education”

Introduction/Background: Recognizing the need for a multi disciplinary approach to child health promotion and obesity prevention, Nemours, in conjunction with the CDC, RWJF and MCHB organized a conference to bring together research, policy and practice experts in the areas of childcare and obesity prevention. The conference, titled: “Healthy Kids, Healthy Future: Promising Practices and Policies for Obesity Prevention and Health Promotion in Early Care and Education,” enabled key leaders of the early care and education, nutrition, physical activity, oral health, and general child health fields to discuss best practices, current opportunities for federal and state policy reform and practice change and current research gaps in the evidence base for child health promotion in the 0-5 age range. Program Design: This conference was the first of its kind. The three outcome objectives were to identify promising policies, practices and tools, current policy opportunities at the state and federal levels, and existing research gaps. Attendees included representatives of 20 state health and wellness programs from around the country who have exhibited innovation in health promotion and obesity prevention in early care and education settings and represented the non-profit sector as well as state government. 50 additional thought leaders with extensive knowledge and efforts in child health promotion, obesity prevention and early education also attended. To support participation and sharing of conference materials with those not in attendance, healthykidshealthyfuture.com was formed. The blog provided information on the agenda, bios and presentations of all attendees and those presenting, an online compendium and constant updates on the conference progression. Results: Nemours is currently transforming the online conference blog site into an online resource center, where experts in the field, as well as educators and parents can access resources to support children's health. Dissemination of the findings from this forum is also available in the form of a white paper. A national expert steering committee has been formed and begun convening as a means to continue supporting a national agenda addressing childhood obesity in children 0-5. Importance: Obesity prevention efforts in child care will improve overall child health as well as establish healthy eating and physical activity habits that support healthy development into adulthood.