Abstract Childhood obesity is among the leading health
concerns in the United States. The relationship between
unmet physical activity needs in young children is of particular
interest as the trend in childhood obesity continues
to rise and unmet physical activity needs are identified. The
preschool years are an influential time in promoting
healthful lifestyle habits and early childhood interventions
may help establish lifelong healthful behaviors which
could help prevent obesity later in life. The Food Friends
:
Get Movin’ with Mighty Moves
is a preschool physical
activity program which aims to improve children’s gross
motor skills and physical activity levels. The home environment
and parental modeling are critical factors related
to child physical activity in this population. The parent
component, Mighty Moves
: Fun Ways to Keep Families
Active and Healthy, was designed to address barriers in the
home environment that lead to unmet physical activity needs in preschoolers and their families. The program and
materials were designed based on Social Marketing tenets
and Social Learning Theory principles. Four Colorado
Head Start centers were assigned to an experimental group
as part of the Mighty Moves
group randomized trial.
Quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods were used
to determine what messages and materials reached and
motivated the target audience to increase physical activity
levels. Results of the study indicated the program’s materials
helped families and children to be more physically
active. Additionally, materials and material dissemination
were revised to enhance program goals.