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Head Start Health and Nutrition Managers' Perceptions of the Process of Measuring BMI and Communicating Preschooler's

M Elizabeth Miller1, Stephanie Nicely2, Dana Shefet3

  • 1Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.

Health Education & Behavior : the Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education
|October 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Head Start programs need better training and resources for accurate Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings and effective communication with families about child weight status. This supports health behavior change.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Early Childhood Education

Background:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings are integral to Head Start (HS) health assessments.
  • Accurate BMI measurement and reporting are crucial for communicating weight status to caregivers and promoting health behavior change.
  • Qualitative research on HS BMI measurement and reporting procedures is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the processes Head Start programs use for conducting BMI screenings.
  • To understand how BMI results are reported to caregivers.
  • To identify needs and challenges within HS programs regarding BMI practices.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative study involving interviews with 28 HS health and nutrition managers in Ohio and North Carolina.
  • Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to BMI measurement and reporting.

Main Results:

  • Identified key themes: Personnel, Equipment, and Training for BMI Measurements; Classifying and Communicating BMI and Referrals; Professional Development Opportunities; and Resource, Training/Policy Needs to Support BMI Practices.
  • Programs require additional resources for BMI measurement training to enhance data accuracy and entry.
  • Need for clearer referral/follow-up processes and communication training for staff interacting with caregivers.

Conclusions:

  • Head Start programs face challenges in implementing accurate BMI screenings and effective caregiver communication.
  • Enhanced resources, standardized training, and policy clarification are needed to improve BMI practices and support families in health behavior change.
  • Addressing these needs can optimize the role of HS in promoting healthy weight in young children.

Keywords:
child healthgeneral termshealth disparitieshealth equitymaternal child healthnutritionobesityplacequalitative methodsschool-based health promotionscreening

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