Low-income African American children who live in inner-city neighborhoods are at increased risk for childhood obesity, which puts them at greater risk for developing serious health conditions as adults. Research indicates that mothers are critical influences on children’s nutrition habits and practices during early childhood, yet African American mothers face multiple nutrition and food challenges.
This project addresses the need for early interventions that can change health trajectories of African American children. It includes the development of a health and nutrition curriculum and assesses the effectiveness of the related workshops for low-income African American mothers of children in preschool who live in impoverished Chicago neighborhoods. Additionally, the project draws from preliminary qualitative data that examined family and neighborhood factors influencing child nutrition and health, including the family and environmental challenges faced by mothers and the resilient strategies used to promote the nutritional health of their children. The culturally sensitive and contextually relevant curriculum will be delivered in a weekly workshop format to mothers participating in a Head Start program and will feature measurable goals and outcomes, interactive information segments, hands-on activities, and homework assignments.
Research Team
- Robin Jarrett, Ph.D., Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
- Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Community Health
- Angela Odoms-Young, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago
Illinois Students
Graduate
- Khara Harper
Undergraduate
- Marilyn Adibu
- Anna Gottfryd
- Giridhar Mohan
- Shashenk Saxsena
- Samantha Semrow
- Arielle Smith
University of Illinois Chicago Students
- Amelia Topel-Harvey
- Rebecca Levine
Contact:
Robin Jarrett
217-265-0659
rjarrett@illinois.edu
Funding
This project was funded through the Christopher Family Foundation Food and Family Program.