Communicating with Head Start Parents about their Child’s Weight Status

Authors

  • Jessica A. Hoffman Northeastern University
  • Catherine Wirth Northeastern University
  • Sarah Johnson Northeastern University
  • Sonia Carter Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. Head Start and Children's Services
  • Matthew Dubois Northeastern University
  • Colin Cox Northeastern University
  • Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa Northeastern University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55370/hsdialog.v18i2.316

Keywords:

overweight, obesity, Head Start, body mass index, screening

Abstract

Head Start provides children with healthy, nutritious meals, physical activity opportunities, and health screenings, all of which are critical components of combatting early childhood obesity.  Communicating health screening information about a child’s weight status to parents is one way to engage families in childhood obesity prevention efforts.  The purpose of this article is to describe a multi-phase, iterative, and collaborative process that was used to develop and evaluate strategies for communicating with Head Start parents about their child’s Body Mass Index.  This article aims to inform other Head Start programs about acceptable, effective approaches that can be used to deliver height and weight screening results to families and educate Head Start staff so they are prepared to respond to parents’ inquiries about BMI letters.

Author Biographies

Jessica A. Hoffman, Northeastern University

Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology

Associate Professor

Catherine Wirth, Northeastern University

Institute on Urban Health Research and Practice

Sarah Johnson, Northeastern University

Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology

PhD Student

Sonia Carter, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. Head Start and Children's Services

Nutrition Services,

Nutrition Coordinator

Matthew Dubois, Northeastern University

Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology

PhD Student

Colin Cox, Northeastern University

Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology

PhD Student

Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa, Northeastern University

Department of Health Sciences

Professor

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Published

2015-07-31

Issue

Section

Research Articles