GEM No. 533 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Participants Perceive That Zobey’s Jungle Jive Promotes Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Their Preschool-Aged Children Jennifer G. Seth, ScM1; Matthew G. Isbell, PhD2; Amanda Hovis, MPH3; Robin D. Atwood, EdD1 INTRODUCTION Low levels of physical activity and excessive screen time, among other factors, have been linked to overweight among preschoolers.1 A Texas Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) survey showed that child preference has a role in determining the foods parents serve, and that many children ask for the foods they see on television (unpublished data). Family-based programs that combine a few simple physical activity and nutrition messages should be a primary strategy in preventing childhood overweight because parents serve as role models for their children.2 With this in mind, Texas WIC created Adventures of Zobey, a series of 4 DVDs for preschool-aged children and their families to encourage physical activity and promote healthy eating habits. Each Zobey DVD incorporates visuals and messages that promote nutritious foods and engage children in a story that makes television viewing active time. For example, in Jungle Jive, Zobey and a group of kids help the animals throw a surprise party for Elephant. They help Monkey make a fruit-a-licous sculp-

ture cake-o-rama, help transport it to the party, and help Lion with his Jungle Jive dance for Elephant. Key nutrition messages include: healthy foods can be used for celebration, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and drink water (Figure). The videos incorporate social cognitive theory components such as behavioral capability, outcome expectations, observational learning, reinforcement, and self-efficacy.3 Child development and child movement specialists reviewed early videos for age-appropriateness.4 Currently, the Zobey series includes A Trip to Bugland (2007), Searching for a Rainbow (2007), Jungle Jive (2010), and Barn Dance Party (2011).

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND USE Texas WIC developed the first 2 Zobey videos in 2007. The University of Texas at Austin Nutrition Education Team evaluated the DVDs. Evaluation results were incorporated into the development of the subsequent programs. Based on the success of the videos, the Child and Adult Care Food Program at the Texas Depart-

1

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 2 Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA 3 Limetree Research, Austin, TX The authors have no conflict of interest to report with the sponsor of this supplement article or products discussed in this article. Address for correspondence: Jennifer G. Seth, ScM, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Blvd, Stop D3700, Austin, TX 78712; Phone: (512) 795-0254; Fax: (512) 471-8914; E-mail: [email protected] J Nutr Educ Behav. 2014;46:S93-S96 Ó2014 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2014.02.004

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior  Volume 46, Number 3S, 2014

ment of Agriculture collaborated with Texas WIC to create 2 additional programs. In Texas WIC, the DVDs are used for nutrition education, either as part of a group class or as take-home nutrition education. Materials are cross-promoted at the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

EVALUATION All Adventures of Zobey DVDs underwent both formative and summative evaluation. For brevity, this GEM focuses on summative evaluation of the Jungle Jive DVD. Other Zobey DVDs received similar results in their summative evaluations. Surveys were developed and field-tested through cognitive interviews. The brief survey included items assessing child and parent reactions to the video, parental perceptions of children asking for more of the foods and beverages featured in the video, and demographics. The researchers sent surveys to WIC local agencies that reported they distributed the DVDs to clients. Clients received the DVDs and a take-home lesson plan at 1 visit and then completed the survey when they returned to the WIC office for a subsequent appointment, approximately 3 months later. Of 1,380 surveys sent to local agencies, the University of Texas at Austin Nutrition Education Team received 614 valid completed surveys, for a response rate of 44%. It is not known whether each local agency distributed all of the surveys that they received to clients. The researchers scanned surveys using ScanTools software (version 7.1, Scantron Corporation, Eagan, MN, 2008) and analyzed data using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 20,

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Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior  Volume 46, Number 3S, 2014

Figure. Zobey’s Jungle Jive DVD cover.

Table 1. Demographic Characteristics and Video Viewing Patterns (n ¼ 614) Respondent Demographics Ethnicity, n (%) White Hispanic African American Asian Native American

159 (26) 411 (67) 56 (9) 8 (1) 7 (1)

Child age, y (mean)

2.8

Child gender, n (%) Boy Girl

307 (50) 295 (48)

Zobey’s Jungle Jive Viewing Patterns Language of video English Spanish Both English and Spanish

375 (61) 160 (26) 74 (12)

Number of times child watched Zobey’s Jungle Jive 1–2 3–4 5–9 $ 10

226 (37) 212 (35) 85 (14) 91 (15)

IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, 2011). Responses for child and parent reactions and perceptions of the child asking for more of the foods and beverages were compared by frequency of the child viewing the video (1–4 times vs $ 5 times). The variable was dichotomized based on consistency of responses among those who watched the video 1–4 times and those who watched $ 5 times. Significant differences were calculated using chisquare tests.

RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS Table 1 presents demographic characteristics of survey respondents and video viewing patterns. Parents' and children's reactions to the video were generally positive. Almost three quarters of respondents (71%) reported that their children asked to watch the video. Children who watched the video $ 5 times were significantly

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Seth et al S95

Table 2. Percentage of WIC Parents Who Reported Their Child Asked for Water and Specific Fruits, Based on Number of Times Child Watched the Video (n ¼ 614)

can make movement and learning about nutrition fun for preschool-aged children. Parents enjoyed receiving the Zobey DVD and take-home lesson as their WIC nutrition education contact. Survey data from parents indicate that the video may have an effect on children's physical activity and intake of water, fruit, and vegetables. Survey results also indicate that WIC participants would like to view the videos online. Future directions would include making the videos accessible to a wider audience and in a variety of formats (eg, online, mobile apps). Because of the family's influence on children's diet and physical activity,5 promoting supplementary materials to reinforce the messages promoted in the video within the broader family context might strengthen the positive effects of the DVDs.

Number of Times Watched Food and Beverages Featured in Zobey’s Jungle Jive Water* Bananas

1–4 (n ¼ 438) 75

$ 5 (n ¼ 176) 85

76

79

Grapes*

66

83

Oranges*

65

75

Mangos*

38

53

Berries*

28

40

WIC indicates Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. *Significant difference in percentage of children who asked for item based on the number of times they watched the video. P < .05, based on chi-square tests. more likely to ask for water and fruits featured in the video, compared with those who watched it # 4 times (P < .05) (Table 2). Overall, parents had favorable opinions of the video and reported that their children were active while watching it (Table 3). Parents of children who watched the video $ 5 times were more likely to agree with statements such as ‘‘I danced to the video with my child’’ (86% vs 75%; P < .05), ‘‘The video

gave me new ideas for helping my child be more active’’ (97% vs 92%; P < .05), and ‘‘The video made my child more willing to try fruits and vegetables’’ (92% vs 84%; P < .05). No significant differences in responses to the video were found based on the child's age or gender. Promoting physical activity and healthy eating at a young age can start children off on a path toward healthy living. Educational tools such as Zobey

NOTES

1–4 (n ¼ 438) 75

$ 5 (n ¼ 176) 86

My child danced to the video when he or she watched it.*

92

98

My child liked the video.*

94

98

The video gave me new ideas for helping my child be more active.*

92

97

The University of Texas at Austin Human Subjects Committee determined that the study was exempt from Institutional Review Board review because the data were collected originally as part of ongoing program evaluation. Texas WIC owns the copyright and masters for duplication, so the only costs associated with Zobey are the costs for duplication. To find out more, contact the Texas WIC office. The research was supported by Contract 2011-037143 from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Texas Department of State Health Services. The authors thank the Texas Department of State Health Services WIC for ongoing support.

The video made my child more willing to try fruits and vegetables.*

84

92

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children should have more videos like this.

95

98

I now buy more fruits and vegetables since my child started watching the video.

83

89

Publication of the supplement in which this article appears was supported by General Mills. However, the research in this article was not funded by General Mills.

I would like the Zobey videos to be available online.

90

91

REFERENCES

Table 3. Percentage of Parents Who Agreed With the Statement, Based on Number of Times Child Watched the Video (n ¼ 614) Number of Times Watched

I danced to the video with my child.*

*Significant difference between those who disagreed or agreed with statement, based on the number of times the child watched the video. P < .05, based on chi-square tests.

1. O’Brien M, Nader PR, Houts RM, et al. The ecology of childhood overweight: a 12-year longitudinal analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007;31:1469-1478.

S96 Seth et al 2. Summerbell CD, Moore HJ, V€ ogele C, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for the development of obesity prevention programs targeted at preschool children. Obes Rev. 2012;13(suppl 1):129-132.

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior  Volume 46, Number 3S, 2014 3. Bandura A. Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall; 1986. 4. Spaulding C, Gottlieb NH, Jensen J. Promoting physical activity in low-

income preschool children. J Phys Educ Recreat Dance. 2008;79:42-46. 5. Gruber KJ, Haldeman LA. Using the family to combat childhood and adult obesity. Prev Chronic Dis. 2009;6:A106.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participants perceive that Zobey's Jungle Jive promotes healthy eating and physical activity for their preschool-aged children.

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