Development of a Quality Improvement Toolkit for Measurement and Communication of Obesity Risk in Head Starts

Start Date: January 2022

Organization: Brown University

Project Lead: Alison Tovar, PhD, MPH

See more related research

Share

The goal of this project is to develop and test the acceptability and feasibility of a quality improvement toolkit for measurement of obesity risk in HeadStart (HS) and to describe best practices on how to best communicate this information with families. The specific study aims are to: 1) Bring together key HS stakeholders to discuss integration and coordination of anthropometric data collection and communication; 2) Develop procedures, protocols, and trainings for anthropometric data collection to be used within HS programs; 3) Test acceptability and feasibility of new procedures with at least three HS programs; 4) Convene an expert panel to discuss best practices related to communicating health behaviors and BMI with families; and 5) Draft a sample policy related to anthropometric data collection that could be adapted to HS programs nationally.

Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), Head Start

Resource Type: Commissioned Research Project Summary

Focus Areas: Diet Quality & Healthy Weight, Early Childhood

Age Group: Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)

Related Research

October 2026

Cross-Sectional Evaluation of WIC Participation Status and Massachusetts Children’s Nutrition after the Cash-Value Benefit Increase

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) increased the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables in 2021. Although WIC participants reported increased purchasing, consumption, and variety of fruits and vegetables after the CVB increase, it is unknown whether this resulted in higher fruit and vegetable intake relative to nonparticipants. The More

October 2026

An Electronic Health Record-Based Intervention to Facilitate Primary Care Referrals to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Retrospective Cohort Study

This study evaluated responses to an electronic health record (EHR)-embedded federal nutrition program (FNP) participation screening and WIC referral tool implemented within 8 clinics during well-child visits for children younger than 5 years of age. Structured EHR data from July 2020 to October 2023 were extracted to summarize screening, referral acceptance, WIC enrollment outcomes, and More

September 2026

Remote Services, Benefits, and Program Retention Changes Among Young Children in WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) improves health for young children with low household incomes, but it is underutilized after infancy due to program complexity and lower perceived value of benefits for participants aged 1 to 4 years. Increasing participants’ retention in WIC could be an important strategy for improving More