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Adaptation of the Simple Suppers Family Meals Intervention to a Head Start Setting: Feasibility and Health Behavior Outcomes

Labyk, Allison N

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Nutrition.
Background: Fourteen percent of all U.S. preschool-aged children are obese and the prevalence is even greater among racial/ethnic minorities. Obese children are at an increased risk for short- and long-term health consequences. Healthy family mealtime routines offer a protective effect. Objective: Assess feasibility, child and caregiver health behavior outcomes of the Simple Suppers (SS) family meals intervention designed for underserved, racially diverse school-aged children and caregivers adapted to a Head Start (HS) population and setting. Methods: Programmatic modifications included: age-appropriateness of food preparation skills, frequency and timing of programming, and staffing structure. This was a single group pre- to post-test study design. The intervention was delivered over two years. In year one, SS was delivered over five monthly lessons to one site. In year two, SS was delivered over seven monthly lessons to two sites. Retention, attendance, fidelity and acceptability served as main feasibility outcomes. Main child outcomes were child food preparation skill ability and frequency, diet (fruit (cups/day) (c/d)), vegetables (c/d), frequency of consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and BMI z-score. Main caregiver outcomes were parent self-efficacy for preparing family meals, frequency of shared family breakfast, dinner, frequency of meals in the dining area, frequency of television viewing during dinner, and BMI. Paired t-test was used to determine pre- to post-test changes in these outcomes. Results: In year one, 18 caregiver-child dyads enrolled in the study and 12 completed (66.7% retention). There were no significant changes in zBMI or dietary outcomes. Frequency of child food preparation in the home increased and trended towards significance (p=0.09). There were no significant differences in caregiver level outcomes. In year two, 39 caregiver-child dyads enrolled and 34 completed (87.2% retention). Significant positive changes were seen in child food preparation skill ability (p=0.000) and frequency (p=0.0001). No significant changes were observed in dietary outcomes. zBMI increased significantly but stayed within normal zBMI range (p=0.0004). Significant positive changes were observed in caregiver self-efficacy (p=0.03). No significant differences were observed in home food environment outcomes. Caregiver BMI increased significantly (p=0.01). Focus group data in both years revealed high acceptability, an increase in child food preparation in the home, and encouraged many programmatic modifications to increase program feasibility. Conclusions: The SS intervention demonstrated high feasibility at HS in both years. Significant outcomes were observed at both the child and caregiver level. These preliminary findings suggest that HS is a suitable venue for this childhood obesity prevention family meals intervention.
Carolyn Gunther, PhD (Advisor)
Irene Hatsu, PhD, RD (Committee Member)
Sanja Ilic, PhD (Committee Member)
Julie Kennel, PhD, RD (Committee Member)
180 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Labyk, A. N. (2018). Adaptation of the Simple Suppers Family Meals Intervention to a Head Start Setting: Feasibility and Health Behavior Outcomes [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1531758101388336

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Labyk, Allison. Adaptation of the Simple Suppers Family Meals Intervention to a Head Start Setting: Feasibility and Health Behavior Outcomes. 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1531758101388336.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Labyk, Allison. "Adaptation of the Simple Suppers Family Meals Intervention to a Head Start Setting: Feasibility and Health Behavior Outcomes." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1531758101388336

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)