Active Early: Promoting Physical Activity in Early Care and Education

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Key DFM Personnel

Tara LaRowe, PhD – Principal Investigator
Courtney Saxler
Ron Prince, MS

Funding

The Department of Family Medicine received a subcontract through Department of Health Services was awarded funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant.

Summary

Twenty regulated family and group childcare sites around the state received funding through the Active Early: Promoting Physical Activity in Early Care and Education project to pilot the new Wisconsin Early Care and Education Wellness Resource Kit. The resource kit is designed to provide low-cost, no cost strategies and resources to providers to promote 120 minutes of physical activity for children 2-5 years of age in the care of providers. DFM staff are evaluating efficacy and feasibility of implementing the resource kit.

Goal

This study will provide rationale for strengthening state regulations by assessing the current physical activity environment in 20 child care centers in Wisconsin and providing sites with low- or no-cost strategies and resources to providers to promote 120 minutes of physical activity throughout the day.

Methodology

Baseline assessments were completed for 20 child care centers in Wisconsin; site practices and policies were assessed using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) measurement tool, through accelerometry, and through BMI measurements in October 2010. Midpoint evaluations will be completed Spring 2011, and final evaluations will be in Fall 2011.