Development of the Intervention Materials for the HomeStyles Obesity Prevention Program for Parents of Preschoolers.
Home environment is key to the development of obesity-preventing behaviors during childhood, yet few resources help preschool parents address factors at home associated with obesity risk. This paper describes creation of materials for an in-home intervention (HomeStyles) with this population. An advisory group of stakeholders and target audience members determined salient factors affecting childhood obesity to address in-home and developed program materials. The Social Cognitive Theory, Faith's Core Behavior Change Strategies to Treat Childhood Obesity, Adult Learning Theory and motivational interviewing techniques guided development of 12 guides targeting strategies parents can use to shape the home environment. Interviews were conducted to determine effectiveness of the guides. Cognitive testing of guide design (n = 251) and content (n = 261) occurred in English and Spanish in New Jersey and Arizona with parents and home visitation staff who would present the guides. Interviews investigated perceptions of content usefulness and parent comprehension. Findings were also examined in light of theoretical underpinnings. Both home visitation staff and parents felt the guides were very readable and useful. Parents appreciated use of motivational interviewing techniques and Adult Learning Theory. Current research is testing these guides through an in-home, randomized control trial.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, 26 Nichol Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Jennifer
J
Martin-Biggers
Department of Biological Sciences, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07082, USA. kspaccar@kean.edu.
Kim
K
Spaccarotella
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, 26 Nichol Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. colleen.delaney@rutgers.edu.
Colleen
C
Delaney
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, 26 Nichol Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. koenings@aesop.rutgers.edu.
Mallory
M
Koenings
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, 406 Shantz Building, 1177 E. 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, USA. galleman@email.arizona.edu.
Gayle
G
Alleman
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, 406 Shantz Building, 1177 E. 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, USA. hongu@email.arizona.edu.
Nobuko
N
Hongu
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, 26 Nichol Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. worobey@rci.rutgers.edu.
John
J
Worobey
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, 26 Nichol Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. bredbenner@aesop.rutgers.edu.
Carol
C
Byrd-Bredbenner
D001628:Beverages; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009515:New Jersey; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064787:Portion Size; D013690:Television; D014675:Vegetables
home environment; obesity prevention; preschool parents