Nutrition and physical activity self-assessment for child care (NAP SACC): results from a pilot intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility, acceptability, and reported impact of a nutrition and physical activity environmental intervention in child care.


METHODS
Self-assessment instrument completed pre- and post-intervention by randomly assigned intervention and comparison child care centers.


METHODS
Child care centers in 8 counties across North Carolina.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 19 child care centers (15 intervention and 4 comparison).


METHODS
Intervention centers completed the self-assessment instrument at baseline and then selected 3 environmental improvements to make over the 6-month intervention period with assistance from a trained NAP SACC Consultant.


METHODS
Changes in pre- and post-intervention self-assesment of the nutrition and physical activity child care environment with additional process measures to evaluate project implementation, feasibility and acceptability.


METHODS
Comparison of pre- and post-test scores for the intervention group using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test and descriptions of environmental changes.


RESULTS
Intervention centers rated themselves higher at follow-up than at baseline, and relative to comparison centers, reported a variety of environmental nutrition and physical activity improvements confirmed by research staff.


CONCLUSIONS
The NAP SACC pilot intervention shows promise as an approach to promote healthy weight environments in preschool settings. Additional evaluation of the project is needed using a greater number of centers and a more objective outcome measure.
Benjamin
Sara E
SE
Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, MA 02215, USA. sara_benjamin@harvardpilgrim.org
Ammerman
Alice
A
Sommers
Janice
J
Dodds
Janice
J
Neelon
Brian
B
Ward
Dianne S
DS
D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012647:Self-Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric