142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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BabySteps to Health: Use of Behavior Change Theory in Obesity and Dental Caries Prevention for Very Young Children

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 2:30 PM - 2:50 PM

Virginia Chomitz, PhD , Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
MaryEllen Malone , Tufts University, Boston, MA
Hubert Park , Tufts University, Boston, MA
Susan Koch-Weser , Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA
Aviva Must, PhD , Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Carole Ann Palmer , Tufts University, Boston, MA
Lingxia Sun, MS, RD , Tufts university, Boston, MA
Cheen Loo , Tufts University Dental Health School, Boston, MA
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Introduction: High rates of both pediatric obesity and dental caries make prevention among very young children a national priority. Dental/nutrition partnerships show promise inasmuch as key dietary behaviors that prevent obesity can also improve oral health. We describe results from a pilot study, BabySteps, a theory-based obesity and dental caries prevention program.   

Approach: BabySteps used self-determination theory and behavioral motivation strategies to develop a nutrition/oral health behavior change program for participants 6-24 months of age and their parent/guardian at Tufts Dental Baby Clinic in Boston, MA which serves an immigrant Asian population. To assess behavior risk and identify potential courses of action, parents/guardians complete a dietary practice assessment in the waiting room and, using computer-assisted technology, are matched to customized dietary behavior guidance.   With assistance from dental providers, parents/guardians set a single behavior change goal. Customized guidance comprises synergistic messages for early dietary practices and caries prevention. These may reinforce parent/guardians’ autonomous motivation to improve feeding habits. A one-month, post-visit phone interview with parent/guardian is used to assess adherence to the behavioral goal and to collect qualitative input for further program development.

Results: Pilot work is ongoing through April, 2014. To date, the majority of parents/guardians report positive impact from the customized behavior guidance and goal-setting on facilitating their chosen behavior change.

Discussion:  Tailored guidance delivered in a program that uses self-determination theory appears to represent a strategic use of the dental encounter to impart actionable health-related messages.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the synergies between oral health and anti-obesity messaging for young children. Describe the potential of using self-determination theory to facilitate short-term parental behavior change around infant and toddler feeding practices. Identify the opportunities and challenges of embedding an obesity prevention intervention in a pediatric dental clinical setting.

Keyword(s): Obesity, Practice-Based Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of the Baby Steps to Health project, and have been involved in multiple research projects to prevent obesity in school-based and dental clinic-based interventions.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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