Abstract
Objectives
Simple Suppers is a 10-week evidence-based intervention (EBI) designed to improve family mealtime routines and child weight status among racially diverse elementary-age children from low-income households. Results from a previous trial demonstrated effectiveness, thereby warranting a scale-out study to reach other child populations (i.e., preschool-age children). In the current study, Southside Simple Suppers Scale-Up (S4), we propose a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial, which has a dual focus on effectiveness and implementation outcomes. This type of trial will allow facilitation of the research translation process to develop effective solutions to promote the health of preschool-age children.
Methods
S4 is occurring during the 2019–20 school year (fall, winter, spring) at 3 Head Start sites (school readiness program for low-income children). Effectiveness outcomes (child food preparation skills, family meal routines) are collected at pre- and post-programming via direct measure and survey. Child food preparation skills are rated on 4-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Family mealtime routines (i.e., eating meals together, TV on while eating) are reported by number of days per week. Implementation outcomes (adoption, fidelity, fiscal efficiency) are collected throughout programming. Adoption is assessed by weekly attendance. Fidelity is assessed with a program-specific checklist and videotaping. Fiscal efficiency is evaluated by assessing cost of programming per family.
Results
Nineteen caregivers completed data collection for the fall session. 55.6% families were low-income. Mean(SD) caregiver age was 37.6(12.1) yr, 94.7% were female, 84.2% were Black, and mean(SD) BMI was 35.3(11.2) kg/m2. Mean(SD) child age was 3.4(0.5) yr, 47.6% were female, and mean (SD) BMI z-score was 1.16(1.38). Child food preparation skills significantly increased from pre- to post-test (P < 0.05); there were no significant changes in family mealtime routines. Programming was delivered as intended 78% of the time and mean cost of weekly programming was $8.63 per family. Programming and data collection will be complete in spring 2020.
Conclusions
Results from this novel hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial will inform the future scale-up of the EBI Simple Suppers program in Head Start.
Funding Sources
USDA NIFA.
Body Size Stigmatization: An Examination of Attitudes of African American Preschool-Age Children Attending Head Start