West Virginia Healthy Children Project

Habits and behaviors that are developed early in life tend to persist throughout childhood and into adulthood. Behavioral choices are influenced by individual factors such as skills, knowledge and preference; settings where children spend time such as early care and education, home, healthcare and community; social networks of family, friends and neighbors; and macro-level sectors such as school and agriculture policy, food systems and transportation. This project was designed to improve access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity for young children and their families in rural West Virginia through a partnership among families, schools, communities and West Virginia University (WVU). The WVPRC and WVU Extension Service worked together in partnership with the communities to build capacity among all the partners to identify community-based goals and objectives that promoted healthy lifestyles for preschool children and their families in Barbour, Gilmer and Pleasants counties in West Virginia. The reach of direct beneficiaries of this project was 800 children and parents. Secondary beneficiaries include approximately 30 childcare personnel whose professional practice were enhanced as a result of this project.

The goals of this project were as follows:

• Increase knowledge of parents/caregivers related to healthy behaviors associated with eating, physical activity and screen time.
• Increased knowledge and behaviors of ECE providers related to healthy foods and beverages, physical activity and screen time.
• Increased number of ECE practices that promote improved behaviors related to healthy foods and beverages, physical activity and screen time.

Learn more about Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas.