Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Design of the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) study
Elsie M Taveras1, Rachel E Blaine, Kirsten K Davison
11 Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children , Boston, MA.
Insights
The MA-CORD study implemented a comprehensive, community-wide intervention to combat childhood obesity in low-income children. This multilevel approach aimed to improve diet and physical activity, addressing a major public health threat.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a prevalent public health issue with significant short- and long-term consequences.
- It disproportionately impacts minority and economically disadvantaged children.
- Multilevel, multisector strategies are crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) Study.
- To assess a comprehensive intervention for preventing and reducing childhood obesity in low-income children (ages 2-12).
- To determine the effectiveness of integrating primary care with public health initiatives.
Main Methods:
- The MA-CORD Study employed a 2-year intervention in two Massachusetts cities, expanding on the Obesity Chronic Care Model.
- Interventions were implemented across primary healthcare, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, early care and education, and schools.
- Quasi-experimental and pre-post time series designs were used to assess changes in BMI, behaviors, and environments.
Main Results:
- The study examined changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), lifestyle behaviors, healthcare satisfaction, and quality of life.
- It also assessed modifications in health policies, programs, and community environments.
- Comparison was made between intervention cities and a control city.
Conclusions:
- MA-CORD aims to determine the effectiveness of a multisetting, multilevel intervention.
- The intervention integrates primary care with public health efforts in schools and communities.
- The goal is to improve children's diet and physical activity, ultimately reducing obesity in low-income populations.
Background:
Childhood obesity is highly prevalent, is associated with both short- and long-term adverse outcomes, disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority and economically deprived children, and represents a major threat to public health. Among the most promising approaches for its prevention and management are multilevel, multisector strategies.
Methods/Design:
The Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) Study was a comprehensive, systematic intervention to prevent and reduce childhood obesity among low-income children ages 2-12 years in two selected cities in Massachusetts. Building on the Obesity Chronic Care Model, MA-CORD expanded a state public health department community-level obesity prevention initiative that incorporated evidence-based interventions in primary healthcare, the Women, Infants, and Children program, early care and education, schools/afterschool programs, as well as community-wide programs to improve food, beverage, physical activity (PA), and messaging environments. The study used a combination of pre- and post-time series and quasi-experimental designs to examine the extent to which the intervention resulted in changes in BMI, individual-level lifestyle behaviors, satisfaction with healthcare services, and quality of life among children, as well as changes in health policies, programs, and environments in the two intervention cities, compared to a comparison city. The intervention period was 2 years.
Conclusions:
MA-CORD will determine the extent to which a multisetting, multilevel intervention that integrates activities in primary care with broader public health interventions in schools, early care and education, and the community at large can improve children's dietary and PA behaviors and ultimately reduce obesity in low-income children.
