Colorado LEAP study: A longitudinal study to assess if the effectiveness of a preschool nutrition and physical activity program is sustained in elementary school

The preschool years are a critical time for obesity prevention efforts; representing a time when children establish healthy eating habits and physical activity patterns. Understanding the context in which these behaviors develop is critical to formulating a model to address childhood obesity. The Colorado LEAP Study utilizes a social ecological approach to explore individual, family and environmental factors and their relationship to child weight status over a 3 year timeframe.