Exploration of an Integrated Active Learning Strategy to Balance Student Workload in a Mixed Level Research Methods Course

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Team Base Learning (TBL) and Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) are two very distinct active learning and teaching pedagogies, both of which focus on team interactions to facilitate learning. TBL and POGIL literature have both been remiss in addressing their applicability in solving workload imbalance within the team paradigms respective of their individual pedagogy. In this study, we merged integral components of both TBL and POGIL teaching strategies to address perceived imbalance in student workload that were revealed through analysis of initial course evaluations from a mixed level (masters and doctoral level students) Research Methods course. As a result of findings from analyses of initial course evaluations, teams were established based on the integration of TBL and POGIL components in the subsequent course offering.

Maternal Depression: Relationship to Food Insecurity and Preschooler Fruit/Vegetable Consumption

Background: Maternal Depression (MD) has been implicated in the etiology of obesity. The present study investigated MD and both child fruit/vegetable consumption (FVC) and household food insecurity (FI) in an early childhood population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Arkansas, United States, in 26 Head Start centers. Teachers obtained the Family Map (FM), an interview assessment tool used by Head Start staff to identify potential risk factors that affect child learning and development. The FM contains a two-item screener of parent depression-the Patient Health Questionaire-2, two questions about family FI, and two questions about FVC. The FM was completed in 693 households. Chi square analyses and logistic regressions utilizing adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios were utilized to compare differences in risk for children of mothers with no symptoms compared to mothers with low- or high-level depressive symptoms. Results: Children whose mothers had high MD were 2.90 (CI: 1.21-7.00) and 7.81 (CI: 3.71-16.45) times more likely to be at risk for low FVC and FI, respectively, compared to children of mothers with no MD. Similar findings but at lower magnitude were found for mothers with low symptoms of MD in comparison with mothers with no MD-both for Low FVC (1.57 times more likely; CI: 1.01-2.45) and FI (2.14 times more likely; CI: 1.28-3.58). The results presented are Odds Ratios from the multivariable adjusted models. Conclusions: Implications for the etiology of obesity, prevention/intervention efforts, and future research are offered, including recommended addition of maternal depression and household FI screening in early childhood programs.

Identifying a Fine Line between Food Insecurity and Food Acquisition Stress: A Mixed Methods Exploration

This study introduces the concept of Food Acquisition Stress (FAS), stress associated with food acquisition among those who do not necessarily screen positive for food insecurity.. This study used an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach among a sample of predominantly early childhood educators to develop a 7-item tool for measuring current and retrospective FAS. Using this tool, we identified that 61% of individuals who had FAS did not meet criteria for food insecurity. Capturing FAS, even among those categorized as food secure, has the potential to identify individuals who may need supportive interventions. Future research can explore how FAS is related to health behaviors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Infancy and Toddlerhood Predict Obesity and Health Outcomes in Middle Childhood

BACKGROUND

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study articulated the negative effects of childhood trauma on adult weight and health. The purpose of the current study is to examine the associations between ACEs in infancy and toddlerhood and obesity and related health indicators in middle childhood.

METHODS

We used data collected from a sample of low-income families enrolled in the national evaluation of Early Head Start (EHS). Data come from 1335 demographically diverse families collected at or near children's ages 1, 2, 3, and 11. An EHS-ACE index was created based on interview and observation items from data collected at ages 1, 2, and 3, which were averaged to represent exposure across infancy and toddlerhood. At age 11, children's height and weight were measured and parents were asked about their child's health.

RESULTS

Children were exposed at rates of 30%, 28%, 15%, and 8% to one, two, three, and four or more EHS-ACEs, respectively. Logistic regressions revealed significant associations between EHS-ACEs in infancy/toddlerhood and obesity, respiratory problems, taking regular nonattention-related prescriptions, and the parent's global rating of children's health at age 11. Across all outcomes examined, children with four or more ACEs had the poorest health. Compared with children with no ACE exposure, the odds of each of the examined health outcomes were over twice as high for children who experienced four or more ACEs.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight that ACEs experienced very early in development are associated with children whose health is at risk later in childhood.

Evaluation of Together We Inspire Smart Eating: pre-school fruit and vegetable consumption

This study examined nutrition intervention curriculum, Together We Inspire Smart Eating (WISE). WISE is a research-based, nutrition promotion curriculum specifically designed for pre-school children from families with limited resources. The design was non-randomized treatment/control with standardized pre-/post-test assessments. Children (n = 268) in six Head Start centers received weekly food experiences from educators trained in WISE. Children (n = 258) in nine Head Start centers received weekly food experiences structured at the discretion of the educators untrained in WISE. Parents in both conditions (n = 268 WISE classroom, n = 258 comparison) were interviewed by educators twice over the school year using a data collection tool, The Family Map Inventory. Analyses using full information maximum likelihood controlling for pre-intervention consumption and key demographic characteristics was used to predict consumption at post-intervention assessment. Results indicated children in WISE centers consumed healthier food at home than children in non-WISE classrooms. The study suggested that WISE curriculum is an effective method to improve children's diets in at-risk environments.

Test of a Conceptual Model to Explain Television Exposure of Head Start Children

Excessive television (TV) viewing by children can lead to negative health and developmental outcomes. Using structural equation modeling, this study tests a conceptual model to understand social and familial factors associated with TV exposure among a sample of 767 Head Start families with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Fit statistics suggested that the overall model provided an acceptable fit to the observed data. Specifically, significant structural paths suggest that parents' social support affects child TV exposure. Additionally, lower levels of social support were associated with significantly greater parental stress, which also predicted child TV exposure. Findings suggest that physicians and other team members of the patient-centered medical home may benefit from broad-based interventions that address familial factors to combat excess TV exposure among children. Urging parents to turn off the TV could fail to address the underlying causes of child TV exposure.

Facebook: The Use of Social Media to Engage Parents in a Preschool Obesity Prevention Curriculum

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the use of Facebook to deliver health-related education materials to augment a preschool classroom-based obesity prevention curriculum.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, mixed methods (descriptive and interviews).

SETTING

Head Start classrooms administered by 2 large agencies (1 rural and 1 urban).

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of parents in 13 classrooms (cohort 1, 3 classrooms; cohort 2, 10 classrooms).

INTERVENTION

Delivery of nutrition education curriculum content using social media (Facebook).

VARIABLES MEASURED

Qualitative interviews assessed barriers and facilitators to Facebook use. Parent views, likes, and comments were measured to reflect parent engagement with Facebook.

ANALYSIS

Content analyses (qualitative data) and descriptive statistics (quantitative data).

RESULTS

Family access (views) and interaction (comments and likes) with the posts varied based on type and content of posts. Rural families were more active. Barriers to parental Facebook engagement included a desire to see more posts from classroom teachers, lack of time, and misunderstanding about privacy protections. Facilitators of parental Facebook engagement included perceived utility of the content and social support.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Facebook was found to be a feasible platform to provide nutrition education and facilitated varying levels of parental engagement. Lessons learned and implications for prevention and intervention programming are offered.

Psychosocial Factors in Children's Obesity: Examples from an Innovative Line of Inquiry

In recent years, researchers and policymakers have recognized that obesity in childhood is not simply a medical problem, but is a complex social and psychological phenomenon. Our research team used an interpersonal and intrapersonal risk model to examine the psychosocial aspects of obesity among rural children. In this article, we describe how the global study of children's obesity has broadened over the last 10 to 15 years, and we present our model of interpersonal and intrapersonal risk factors, which includes complex pathways with many psychosocial variables. We then describe a large prospective longitudinal study of children in grades 1 through 4, and highlight findings from five studies guided by this model. This work illustrates opportunities for developmental scientists and practitioners to join transdisciplinary teams to develop more effective prevention and intervention programs for children.

A Qualitative Application of the Belsky Model to Explore Early Care and Education Teachers' Mealtime History, Beliefs, and Interactions

OBJECTIVE

Studies on factors associated with nutrition practices in early care and education settings often focus on sociodemographic and programmatic characteristics. This qualitative study adapted and applied Belsky's determinants of parenting model to inform a broader exploration of Early Care and Education Teachers (ECETs) practices.

DESIGN

Qualitative cross-sectional study with ECETs.

SETTING

The researchers interviewed ECETs in their communities across a Southern state.

PARTICIPANTS

Purposive sampling was employed to recruit ECETs (n = 28) from Head Start or state-funded centers serving low-income families.

PHENOMENON OF INTEREST

Developmental histories of ECETs regarding food and nutrition, beliefs about child nutrition, and teaching interactions related to food.

ANALYSIS

Qualitative interviews were coded using a deductive content analysis approach.

RESULTS

Three distinct interrelationships were observed across the themes. First, rules and routines regarding food and mealtime in the educators' childhood often aligned with educator beliefs and behaviors at meals in their classroom. Second, some ECETs described motivations to leave a healthy food legacy for children in their class. Finally, an experience of food insecurity appeared in narratives that also emphasized making sure children got enough through various strategies.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The influence of ECET developmental histories and their related beliefs can be addressed through professional development and ongoing support. Future study should quantify model constructs in a larger sample and study their relationships over time.

Application of Noninferiority Tests to Examine the Food Insecurity-Obesity Relationship in Children

This study applies non-inferiority testing to assess the relationship between child weight and food security status in a sample of 808 children between 3 and 5 years old who were attending an urban, state-funded preschool program. Most families were African American (72.3%). Analyses were conducted using non-inferiority testing to evaluate the overweight-food security association. Odds of being overweight in the Food Insecure (FI) group were .643 (95% CI .525 to .788) while odds from the Food Secure (FS) group were .570 (95% CI .464 to .697), OR=1.127 (P=.004). These findings held across sub-groups of gender, race, and family conflict. Children whose parent indicated education beyond high school showed a reversal with FI odds of overweight less than FS odds (OR=.663). As illustrated in this study, non-inferiority testing provides an alternative analytic approach to examining the association between FI and weight in children.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Early Childhood Educators' Childhood and Current Food Insecurity and Dietary Intake

In this cross-sectional study, ECEs (N=307) completed an 18-item survey regarding their role (lead vs. assistant), Education level, Program Type, and Current and Childhood Food Insecurity (FI) and Dietary Intake. ECEs in this study reported poor dietary quality and a high rate of FI. Approximately one quarter of ECEs ate fruits and vegetables more than once per day. Of participating ECEs, 34.5% indicated Current FI and 28.7% reported experiencing FI in Childhood. Differences in prevalence of Current FI were found for ECE role, Program Type, and Education (all p ≤ .03). Regression models with Childhood Dietary Intake, Childhood FI, Education, and Program Type as predictors accounted for a significant portion of variance in Current Dietary outcomes. In both models, Childhood Dietary Intake was uniquely predictive (p < .001) although Program Type was not. Future training and education efforts for ECEs should consider including specific resources to assess and reduce ECE FI and provide practical support for healthy eating on a budget. Additional research is needed to determine the impact of ECE FI on a variety of educator and child outcomes.

The Social and Emotional Lives of Overweight, Obese, and Severely Obese Children

This study examines inter- and intrapersonal problems associated with being overweight among one thousand one hundred sixty-four 6- to 7-year-olds (49% boys) in 29 rural schools. Socioemotional data include child self-reports, peer sociometrics, and teacher reports. Results support the hypothesis that children with weight problems struggle socially and emotionally, and extend current understanding of child obesity by demonstrating that problems appear early, are evident in a community sample, can be identified using standard sociometric methods, and are worse among children with severe obesity. Sociometric status difference between levels of obesity were also found. Although obese children were neglected by peers, severely obese children were rejected.

Familial Risk in Low-Income Children With Chronic Illness Exposed to Passive Smoke

BACKGROUND

This study highlights the family characteristics of a child living in a state of triple risk: chronically ill, exposed to passive smoke, and residing in a low-income household.

METHODS

Head Start families were divided into 4 groups based on passive smoke exposure and child chronic illness status. Analyses of covariance controlling for parent education, parent employment, marital status, and residence were conducted to identify group differences in the Family Map risk areas.

RESULTS

Families of chronically ill, passive smoke-exposed children demonstrated the highest levels of risks across a range of areas including: meeting basic needs, family conflict, parenting stress, and parental depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Children living in poverty with a chronic illness who are exposed to smoke are likely to face many challenges in addition to their illness. Healthcare professionals can identify family risks and provide targeted educate and support to potentially reduce risk factors for children.

Many Replications Do Not Causal Inferences Make

Although direct replications are ideal for randomized studies, areas of psychological science that lack randomized studies should incorporate Rosenbaum’s (2001) distinction between trivial and nontrivial replications, relabeled herein as exact and critical replications. If exact replications merely repeat systematic biases, they cannot enhance cumulative progress in psychological science. In contrast, critical replications distinguish between competing explanations by using crucial tests to clarify the underlying causal influences. We illustrate this potential with examples from research on corrective actions by professionals (e.g., psychotherapy, Ritalin) and parents (e.g., spanking, homework assistance), where critical replications are needed to overcome the inherent selection bias due to corrective actions being triggered by children’s symptoms. Purported causal effects must first prove to be replicable after plausible confounds such as selection bias are eliminated. Subsequent critical replications can then compare plausible alternative explanations of the average unbiased causal effect and of individual differences in those effects. We conclude that this type of systematic sequencing of critical replications has more potential for making the kinds of discriminations typical of cumulative progress in science than do exact replications alone, especially in areas where randomized studies are unavailable.

Technology use and interest among low-income parents of young children: differences by age group and ethnicity

OBJECTIVE

To examine demographic differences in frequency of use of technologies and interest in receiving nutrition information via technology by low-income parents and caregivers.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Head Start and state-funded child care programs.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 806 parents and caregivers from low-income families.

VARIABLES MEASURED

A 20-item survey assessed frequency of use and interest in technologies (dependent variables) and collected participant age and ethnicity (independent variables).

ANALYSIS

Multivariate ANOVA analysis investigated whether age, ethnicity, and their interactions were related to frequency of use and interest in technology types.

RESULTS

Daily rates of usage for Internet, text messaging, and cell phone use were over 60%. However, Twitter and blogs were accessed daily by < 13% of respondents. The omnibus 2-way interaction of ethnicity and age was nonsignificant. However, main effects for ethnicity (Wilks' λ = .85; F = 3.13; P < .001) and age (Wilks' λ = .89; F = 2.29; P < .001) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Facebook, e-mail, texting, and smartphone applications may be innovative modalities to engage with low-income parents and caregivers aged ≤ 45. However, some strategies may be ineffective for reaching Hispanic families as they reported less use of the Internet, Facebook, and e-mail as well as less interest in e-mail.