The needs of nutrition and physical activity education for caregivers of Michigan migrant and seasonal farmworker children

"Migrant and seasonal farmworker (MSFW) children have high rates of overweight and obesity, which can lead to health issues through childhood and adulthood. Caregivers of young children have the ability to influence environment and role model behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity for children. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs serve young MSFW children by providing a venue for nutrition and physical activity promotion for extended hours with the ultimate goal of helping at-risk children succeed. We also reported high prevalence of obesity and overweight among MSHS children's caregivers, i.e., parents and MSHS staff. This situation provides important educational opportunities to apply social cognitive theory and policy, systems, and environmental change approaches in order to meet the needs of caregivers (parents and MSHS staff) who can become competent to practice healthy lifestyles for family and MSHS children. In developing nutrition and physical activity education programs targeting caregivers of Michigan MSHS children, this study aimed to identify the perceived needs for content, facilitators and barriers to participating such programs. Of 17 total MSHS centers in Michigan, five of the largest sites were selected for recruitment of MSHS program parents and staff. Twelve focus groups were conducted between July and September 2016 with staff (n = 27), parents (n = 33), and MSHS center directors (n = 13). Focus groups with the consented parents were conducted at MSHS sites in Spanish, with staff in English, and with directors at a central office meeting. Using censuses coding among three researchers, key themes were identified. Quantitative surveys were conducted in parallel to this qualitative study with parents (n = 135) at nine centers and staff (n = 280) at all 17 MSHS centers in Michigan between July-August 2016.We found that desired content for programs included basic nutrition knowledge, cooking and meal planning, physical activity, and budgeting. Facilitators and barriers to participation in a new nutrition and physical activity program included program structure, financial support, education format, and motivation factors. Nutrition education interventions for parents and staff need to be combined with efforts to improve their children's health. We generated key information that can be used in planning future interventions for caregivers of MSHS children. Caregivers who are competent in nutrition and physical activity knowledge may be able to influence the environment and behaviors of their children and MSHS community to promote healthy lifestyles."--Page ii.