ERIC Number: EJ1470260
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2325-5226
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Guided Goal Setting: A Feasible Obesity Prevention Behavior Change Strategy for Low-Income Parents with Young Children
Mical K. Shilts; Stephanie L. Sitnick; Lenna Ontai; Marilyn S. Townsend
Journal of Human Sciences & Extension, v6 n3 p161-179 2018
To reduce the risk of pediatric obesity, behaviorally-focused parental education is needed. This study examined the feasibility of guided goal setting in a pediatric obesity prevention intervention for low-income parents of young children. Parents from Head Start participated in a six-week nutrition, activity, and parenting intervention that included guided goal setting (N = 47). At each session, data were collected on goal selection, effort, and attainment. Pre- and postintervention data were collected on nutrition, activity, and child feeding behaviors (n = 24). A subset of parents completed in-depth interviews (n = 20). Parents reported a high level of goal effort (88%) and achievement (79%) as well as a preference for goal personalization and a list of goals from which to choose. In general, parents did not find the goal contract or weekly tracking as motivating as goal personalization. Pre- and postintervention assessment showed significant changes in the dietary energy density (p = 0.008) and vegetable behavior (p = 0.04) subscales with a marginal change in the snacking subscale (p = 0.08). Guided goal setting was a feasible behavioral strategy for the parents in this study. Parents engaged in the guided goal setting process and demonstrated changes in serving more vegetables and fewer energy-dense foods.
Descriptors: Obesity, Goal Orientation, Pediatrics, Prevention, Intervention, Low Income Groups, Young Children, Parent Attitudes, Eating Habits, Behavior Modification, Child Health, Parent Education, Physical Activity Level, Nutrition Instruction, Program Effectiveness
School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University. PO Box 9745, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Tel: 662-325-6861; Fax: 662-325-8188; e-mail: jhse@ext.msstate.edu; Web site: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/jhse/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: 20095521505019
Author Affiliations: N/A