Healthy Drinks, Healthy Futures
Drinking sugary drinks at an early age can shape later preferences for sweet drinks, cause cavities, and unhealthy weight gain that can affect children’s activity and lead to diabetes. A large percentage of US children attend childcare, making this an ideal place to help young children and their families foster healthy beverage intake habits.
There has been limited focus on healthy beverage interventions as a childhood obesity prevention strategy in childcare centers. If children drink more water and less sugary drinks, they may have a healthier weight and fewer cavities. Drinking water can also help children be more ready to learn.
Goal
The goal of the Healthy Drinks, Healthy Futures randomized controlled study is to understand if promoting intake of healthy beverages in childcare centers and at home helps children to have healthier nutrition and weight.
Eligible Centers
California-licensed childcare centers in Santa Clara County, California
Serving low-income children
Do not participate in other initiatives to promote intake of healthy beverages
Healthy Drinks, Healthy Futures Program
Testing of drinking water for lead and remediation support if needed
Self-serve pitchers and cups for children to drink water at snacks and mealtimes
Reusable water bottles for children and staff for use at the home and at the center
Potter the Otter books and materials
Recipes, reusable straws, ice-cube molds, and other fun prizes
Performance by Children’s singer Andy Z about drinking water
Interactive educational activities for children led by the project team
Personalized beverage reports for each child with phone/zoom nutrition counseling sessions for families designed by pediatricians and dietitians
*Some centers get the program now whereas others get materials at a later date
Evaluation
To see if the program is effective, researchers will conduct:
Surveys of childcare providers and participating parents/guardians
Observations of what children eat and drink
Height and weight measurements of participating children
$500 for participating centers, $150 for each participating childcare provider, and $150 for each parent/guardian for help with evaluation
Estimated time (Over project year)
Center administrators: 2 hours
Center providers: 2 hours
Parents/caregivers: 5 hours
Children: 5 hours
Policy Implications
The information gathered during the study may help childcare centers, public health officials, and policymakers better understand strategies for intervening early to prevent obesity for children attending childcare. Information may also inform the implementation of policies to promote healthy beverage intake in childcare centers.
Study Status
Recruiting
Funder
National Institutes of Health
Collaborators
Community Advisory Board
Kim Frinzell, California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division
Elyse Homel Vitale, CACFP Roundtable
Elizabeth Moreno, California Department of Social Services
Claudia Goytia, Voices for Healthy Kids, American Heart Association