Obesity and food insecurity at the same table: how head start programs respond.

Area of Science:

• Child Nutrition
• Public Health Interventions
• Early Childhood Education

Background:

• Head Start programs serve over 900,000 US children, many at risk for obesity and food insecurity.
• This study examines Head Start practices for BMI assessment, food insecurity, and portion size determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current Head Start practices regarding BMI assessment.
• To identify Head Start approaches to addressing food insecurity.
• To understand how portion sizes are determined in Head Start meals.

Main Methods:

• A 2008 survey was sent to 1,810 eligible Head Start programs.
• Program directors responded to questions on BMI, food insecurity, and portion size practices.
• Data from 1,583 programs (87% response rate) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Nearly all programs collect height and weight data (99.5%), with 78% calculating BMI for all children.
• 14% of programs reported staff frequently observed children not getting enough to eat at home.
• Staff primarily determined portion sizes in 39% of programs, while children decided in 55%.

Conclusions:

• Head Start programs should reallocate resources from BMI assessment to food security assessment.
• Providing training and technical assistance for staff on managing children's portion sizes is recommended.
• Focusing on food security and portion control can better support vulnerable children in Head Start.