FIT (Families in Training) for a Healthy Future Alison Ambrogio

Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center Non-profit organization Two locations in Northern Colorado – Fort Collins – Loveland Serving low to middle income families Mission to supply quality, affordable early child care across diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds while supporting families and strengthening community

The Problem: CHILDHOOD OBESITY Nationally: For children ages 2-5 in the U.S. obesity rate has doubled within the past 30 years; ages 6 and over rate has tripled (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) By 2012, 17% of children in U.S. considered obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) Locally: Estimated 31.4% of children in Colorado were considered overweight or obese in 2011 (Healthier Communities Coalition) 18.1% children in Larimer County considered obese or overweight averaging data from (Healthier Communities Coalition) In 2010, 7.9% of children 5 and under in Larimer County considered obese (Healthier Communities Coalition)

Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities Childhood obesity rates more prevalent among lower SES families – 1 in 7 lower income preschool children considered obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) Racial/ethnic differences in childhood obesity – Hispanic male children and black female children significantly more likely than Caucasian counterpart to be considered obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013)

Possible Causes of Childhood Obesity: The Risk Factors Increased sedentary time – Screen time Decreased physical activity Lower intake of nutritionally appropriate foods Higher intake of energy dense, nutritionally poor food – Fast food – Beverages high in sugar content Where are these habits and behaviors typically learned or adopted?...

…The Home and Family Environment! Rules and expectations – Sedentary time rules – Mealtime expectations Food offered and provided Healthy examples and modeling

FIT (Families in Training) for a Healthy Future: The Goals Goal 1: To increase child’s knowledge and awareness of healthy habits Goal 2: To encourage child’s participation in healthy habits. Goal 3: To encourage family-based healthy habits at home. Goal 4: To increase parental/caregiver awareness and involvement in child’s healthy development.

Goals: How FIT will achieve them In a child and parent/caregiver integrated program: Provide families with easy, affordable healthy snack suggestions and alternatives at each session Provide families with health promoting or physical activity suggestions at each session that can be implemented in the home environment FIT focuses on reaching children and families at the early childhood level to start healthy habits early !

Sample Physical Activities Ball sports – Football, soccer, basketball – Ball will be provided for each family at this session Outdoor family activities – Ex: Tag Scavenger hunts – Neighborhood Nature walks Group activities – Ex: Duck, Duck, Goose; Red Light, Green Light; Kick the Can, Kickball Music and movement – Ex: Freeze Dance Role play – Act out stories, movies, etc. Obstacle courses – Indoor and outdoor materials

Sample Dietary Activities Fruit burritos – Can also experiment with veggie burritos Fresh veggies and dip – Variety of veggies with hummus, ranch, cream cheese, etc. Fruit and cheese kabobs Snack mix/Trail mix Ants on a log – Celery, peanut butter, raisins OR celery, cream cheese, raisins Apple yogurt dip Veggie sculptures Homemade granola

Evaluation of FIT Pre and post program surveys administered to families Control families at center also administered surveys – Random families not participating in program will be approached to complete the surveys, acting as a control group This Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Screening Tool – Developed and provided by American Dietetic Association Foundation along with Iowa State University – Family behaviors including dietary choices, physical activities, child and family activities, etc.

The FIT Budget ExpensesTotal CostIn-Kind Donation*Funds Requested Food for activities ($100/session) $1,600.00$600.00$1, Eating supplies$60.00 Physical activity materials $ Safety materials$50.00 Staff$1,060.00$500.00$ Recruitment materials $ Evaluation materials$25.00 Total$3, $1,100.00$2, Budgeted for 2 centers (Fort Collins and Loveland) * In-Kind Donations account for food donated by Fort Collins Food Co-Op and participation of Healthy Kids Club rep

References CanDo: Coalition for activity and nutrition to defeat obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved from Center for disease control and prevention. (2013, February 19). Retrieved from Center for disease control and prevention: Childhood obesity facts. (2013, January 11). Retrieved from Family nutrition and physical activity survey. (n.d.). Retrieved from Healthier communities coalition of Larimer County. (n.d.). Retrieved from Healthy kids club. (n.d.). Retrieved from Teaching tree early childhood learning center. (n.d.). Retrieved from