title: A conceptual framework for organizational readiness to implement nutrition and physical activity programs in early childhood education settings.
abstract: Across multiple sectors, organizational readiness predicts the success of program implementation. However, the factors influencing readiness of early childhood education (ECE) organizations for implementation of new nutrition and physical activity programs is poorly understood. This study presents a new conceptual framework to measure organizational readiness to implement nutrition and physical activity programs in ECE centers serving children aged 0 to 5 years. The framework was validated for consensus on relevance and generalizability by conducting focus groups; the participants were managers (16 directors and 2 assistant directors) of ECE centers. The framework theorizes that it is necessary to have "collective readiness," which takes into account such factors as resources, organizational operations, work culture, and the collective attitudes, motivation, beliefs, and intentions of ECE staff. Results of the focus groups demonstrated consensus on the relevance of proposed constructs across ECE settings. Including readiness measures during program planning and evaluation could inform implementation of ECE programs targeting nutrition and physical activity behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, The University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Hermann Pressler, RAS E603, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: Shreela.V.Sharma@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Shreela V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, The University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Mudita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Upadhyaya
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition and University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.affiliation: Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, The University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byrd-Williams
mesh_terms: D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003660:Decision Support Systems, Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016730:Program Development; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration