Choose Healthy Options Often and Start Young (CHOOSY): A West Virginia Child Care pilot study

West Virginia has a 30% or greater obesity rate, 2nd in the nation, according to 2008 CDC statistics. The AAP and CDC agree that it is easier to establish healthy habits in children than it is to change unhealthy habits in adults. The WV Division of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), WV Child Care Health Consultants (CCHC), and Choosy Kids are piloting a program in 50 child care sites across WV. The program, Be Choosy Be Healthy, was developed by founder of Choosy Kids and retired Ware Distinguished Professor at West Virginia University. Be Choosy, Be Healthy emphasizes that physical activity habits and food preferences are developed early in life. Through daily lessons, discussions, and hands-on experiences with healthy nutrition and activity options, young children can learn healthy behaviors that last a lifetime. The child care sites participating in the study received a “Choosy” kit funded by DHHR to implement the program that utilizes a children's character to deliver consistent health messages throughout daily routines. CCHCs have performed pre-assessments, are providing technical assistance and training, and will be performing post-assessments at each site to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Additional technical assistance is being provided by the developers of the kit. A web–based group page for teachers, menu planners and directors using “Choosy” was implemented for information and idea sharing. The pilot ends June 2010 with hopes that healthy options continue everyday in the child care sites resulting in a healthier generation of West Virginians.