Bright Spot: Color Me Healthy

Photo by Nicole Leeper on Unsplash


This bright spot was originally published in the 100 Million Healthier Lives Change Library and is brought to you through partnership with 100 Million Healthier Lives and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Overview

Detailed Description

Color Me Healthy was developed in 2000 and continues to be used across NC, the US, and in four other countries. Color Me Healthy is one of the few Evidence-based interventions to address obesity prevention in preschool-age children. The CDC sponsored Center for Training and Research Translation (TRT) awarded Color Me Healthy the distinction of research-tested intervention, the highest level of recognition offered by the Center. We partnered with Idaho to conduct a randomized control trial using Color Me Healthy that revealed sustained changes in fruit and vegetable consumption when the program is implemented. We continue to update the materials based on new dietary guidance.


Expected Outcomes

To improve fruit and vegetable intake and increase physical activity among 4 and 5 year old children in preschool settings.

Key Lessons Learned

Technical assistance will continue to be available from NC State University, Carolyn_Dunn@ncsu.edu.


Cost Details

As of October 2016, the following costs are associated with this intervention: English CMH Kits are available at cost ($80 per kit; $70 per kit for North Carolina + $8 shipping). Training manuals are available for $100. Spanish language CMH Kits are available for an additional $25 per set for orders under 100 and $20 per set for orders over 100.

Key Steps for Implementation

  1. Train local child care providers in how to implement the curriculum.
  2. Provide child care providers with the curriculum, CD, and other materials.
  3. Child care providers deliver the curriculum.
  4. Teachers modify their classroom environments to reinforce the lessons. The Color Me Health Kit includes classroom posters, ideas for bulletin boards, and teacher tips.

Required Staffing (FTEs)

Staff needed to train child care providers. This may be staff with HeadStart, the state health department, Cooperative Extension, The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Programs (EFNEP), Head Start Centers, Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed).

English CMH Kits are available at cost ($80 per kit, see cost details below). Spanish language CMH Kits are available for an additional $25 per set for orders under 100 and $20 per set for orders over 100.

Training

Training manual, $100. This is not required.

Return on Investment Details

Partnerships may vary and could include:

  • HeadStart
  • Local public health departments
  • Cooperative Extension
  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Programs (EFNEP)
  • Head Start Centers, Child, and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed)


Outcome Measures

  • Number of children recognizing variety of fruits and vegetables when given visual cues
  • Number and/or proportion of children trying new foods
  • Number of planned physical activity minutes in the child care center's schedule
  • Number of servings of vegetables and fruits that children consumed per week while at the child care center

Process Measures

  • Percentage of targeted child care centers adopting the Color Me Healthy program
  • Number of child care providers attending each train the trainer session conducted
  • Number of children in each Color Me Healthy session delivered by each child care center

 Related Topics

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Children and Youth