Summary of OPT Research 2004-2007

Recognitions Of Excellence

The Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion was selected as an Honorable Mention Awardee for the 2007 Campus-Community Partnerships in Health Award sponsored by this national organization.

OPT for Fit Kids was selected for participation in the American Association of Colleges and Universities and Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Sumner Symposium with presentation of the OPT program on Capitol Hill, Wash, DC, 2004.

Impact Evaluation Research

LEAP 'n Literacy: The LEAP For Preschoolers Curriculum Is Effective in Improving Knowledge and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables among Children and Parents
MI Garcia, J Charan, J Bordin, C Wolff
Head Start children (n=95) in three rural communities received the LEAP (Lifelong Eating and Activity Patterns) for Preschoolers curriculum, a 5 week/25 food exposure nutrition education program and were matched by geographical area, age, and ethnicity to the control sample (n=49). Target group gain scores were significantly greater than control group scores. Target preschoolers were more aware of the minimum number of fruit and vegetables needed per day. Parents (n=101) reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption by their children as well as themselves. 42% of the preschoolers were above the 85%tile BMI-for-age indicating a high risk for overweight.

Breastfeeding Duration Patterns among Butte County Breastfeeding Support Center Participants
J Cravens, D Vaughn, K Warner, C Wolff
In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, breastfeeding duration patterns were examined for two groups of women. The first included 42 women attending at least one of 10 breastfeeding support meetings over a two month period. The second was a cohort of 42 women whose infants were born in July 2006 and who received services from the Butte County Breastfeeding Support Center during the subsequent six months. 88% of women attending at least one breastfeeding support group were exclusively breastfeeding.
59% of the cohort of mothers receiving services between July and December 2006 were exclusively breastfeeding when their infant reached 6 months of age. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in both of these groups surpassed the national objective of at least 50% exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum.

Evaluation of the LEAP Family-Based Nutrition Education Program
M Monastra, S Boek, J Hanson, A Johnsen, C Wolff
The family-based nutrition education and weight management program, LEAP (Lifelong Eating and Activity Patterns) for Families, resulted in significant positive changes in eating and activity attitudes and behaviors for both children and parents. Parental responses indicated significant improvements in limiting television viewing, child's fruit and vegetable consumption, and family fast food consumption. Both parents and children reported significant decreases in high fat foods.

Needs Assessment Research

An Investigation of Pediatric Overweight in a Rural County in Northern California
T Drobnik, C Wolff
62 health care providers in Butte County were surveyed regarding the need for the pediatric nutrition education and overweight prevention program, OPT for Fit Kids (Overweight Prevention and Treatment). 100% of respondents either strongly agreed (85%) or agreed (15%) that there was a need. 82% (n=55) indicated there was a high incidence of overweight among their pediatric patients with a significantly higher rate among low-income vs. non-low-income children.

Family Eating and Activity Patterns Are Associated with Overweight Risk Among Low-income Preschool Children
V Gyovai, J Gonzales, K Ferran, C Wolff
Mothers (n=132) of children (n=141) aged 2-5 participating in the WIC Program in Butte County completed a Family Activity and Eating Habits questionnaire during regularly scheduled WIC appointments. Results include significant correlations between fast food consumption and child's BMI-for-age as well as mother's BMI and child's BMI such that as mother's BMI increased, child's BMI also increased. Overall, 34% of these 141 children were overweight at a mean age of 3.2 ± 0.9 years. At 41% vs. 26%, the rate of overweight was significantly higher for Mexican-American vs. Caucasian children.

A Needs Assessment for a Nutrition Education & Physical Activity Promotion Program for Young Children in Glenn County
T Cornwell, R LaGrande, C Wolff
Study results show that 41% of preschool age children (n=336) in Glenn County were overweight (≥85th percentile BMI-for-age) which is well above the national average. At 43%, less than half of the parents of these preschoolers indicated agreement with the statement that they were concerned with their child's weight. At 47% vs. 32%, the rate of overweight was significantly higher for Mexican-American vs. Caucasian preschool age children.