The Earlier The Better?


As stewards of public health who are interested in obesity prevention, we all want young children to develop healthy habits. In essence, we want children to be able to take their first step towards a life of health and wellness. Although some might think that focusing on early childhood might be too early, Jill Hoiting points out that part of why it is so critical to focus on early childhood is because we’re already seeing obesity present that early (1). Across the nation, rates of early childhood obesity and overweight are on the rise. In Wisconsin, 31 percent of low-income 2–4 year-olds are considered overweight or obese (2). To be considered overweight, children in this age group must be between the 85th and 95th percentile when plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age growth charts. Additionally, children are considered obese when their BMI-for-age percentile exceeds the 95th percentile. Percentiles are the most commonly used indicator to assess the growth patterns of individual children because the percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI number among children of the same age and gender (3).

Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are central causes of obesity. We know that physical activity and eating habits develop early, which only enhances the importance of early childcare and education settings (ECES) in helping to prevent obesity. Similarly, Molle Polzin also explains that early childhood is the “prevention perfection” because children are developing so quickly that it makes this period of time a “developmental window of opportunity” for these children to learn healthy eating habits and physical activity habits that will last them a lifetime (4). Lastly, given the widespread use of out of home childcare services and the skyrocketing prevalence of obesity among pre-school aged children, it is imperative to consider the opportunities that early childcare and education settings may provide to reduce childhood obesity (5). There may not be one clear solution or one best recommendation for obesity prevention, but studies show that early care and education settings have the ability to combat childhood obesity by promoting the following habits:

• Be more physically active

• Watch less television and spend less time using computers and electronic games

• Breastfeed infants longer

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

• Eat fewer high-energy dense foods, such as candy, chips and cookies

• Drink fewer sugar-sweetened beverages such as regular soda, fruit juice cocktails and energy drinks

These recommendations are among a wide range of strategies that are outlined in Active Early & Healthy Bites to improve the nutrition and physical activity environments in early care and education settings (6). These resource kits are designed to provide low-cost to no-cost strategies and resources to providers, parents, educators to promote physical activity and good nutrition in early childhood. They also seek to educate providers, parents, and educators about the importance of healthy living to support positive role modeling and their individual wellness. When children see their caregivers as healthy role models and take an active role in caring for their bodies, make appropriate food choices, and participate in physical activity, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their independence and develop a sound foundation for healthy growth in all other areas of development.

It might not be a definitive answer, but it at least appears to be the case that THE EARLIER THE BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION!


References

  1. Jill Hoiting: Co-Director of programs and external relations with Supporting Families Together Association – discussing the Wisconsin Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative (WECOPI) in relation to policy, environmental and systems changes that are happening in Wisconsin as a result of collaborative leadership and the development of strategic partnerships.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System. 2010.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Nation Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. About BMI for Children and Teens. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html Accessed: 10/15/2014
  4. Molle Polzin: Nutrition program consultant with the Department of Public Instruction in the Child and Adult Care Food Program — discussing the Wisconsin Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative (WECOPI) in relation to policy, environmental and systems changes that are happening in Wisconsin as a result of collaborative leadership and the development of strategic partnerships.
  5. Larson, N., Ward, D. S., Neelon, S. B., & Story, M. (2011). What role can child-care settings play in obesity prevention? A review of the evidence and call for research efforts. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(9), 1343–1362.
  6. Active Early & Healthy Bites Resource Kits. Available at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/physical-activity/Childcare/index.htm Accessed: 10/16/2014