Entry 1

Childhood obesity is a chronic health condition in the United States, and across the world, that has affected the short and long term health of our next generation. While scholars investigate the extent and prevalence of obesity in children, others have taken steps in developing programs to counteract and hopefully reverse the growing trend. Preventive strategies have been implemented in such a variety of social settings from schools and day cares, and recently to state laws. Small scale and large scale efforts have been made to address childhood obesity. A question that I pose, however is the extent to which stakeholders in children's lives (i.e., parents, guardians, and teachers) are asked what they would like to see happen in their communities to address this issue. Rather than bombarding communities with programs that we think they need, how about asking them about what they would value and support if implemented? In effort of answering this question, I have spent the last year devoted to speaking with parents of school-aged children about what they believe to be influencing obesity development in children and also what types of programs they would support. As a result of these discussions and written feedback, I have developed a survey instrument that aspires to capture the voices of parents, so that scholars, researchers, health practitioners, and educators can see what parents value in obesity prevention programs, and then take steps to designing and implementing these programs in communities across the nation. Having the support of parents and guardians a first and important stride in developing programs that can be successful and meaningful to the children and families who are most directly involved.