Dianne S Ward
Biographic Data
| ID | 360577 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dianne S Ward |
| GIVEN NAMES | Dianne S |
| FAMILY NAME | Ward |
| SIGNATURE | WARD D S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6389-0168 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 58 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 174 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 58 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1985 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Listening to the community
Multi-level interventions promoting healthy weight in rural preschool children aged 2–5 years are limited. With the goal of developing a community-informed obesity prevention intervention for rural preschool-aged children, the purpose of this descriptive study was to identify: (1) community settings and intervention strategies to prioritize for an intervention; (2) potential implementation challenges and solutions; and (3) immediate interventions…
The Role of Physical Education Within the National Physical Activity Plan
The Education Sector of the recently updated National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP, 2023) was developed to assist schools, early care and education centers, and colleges and universities to establish policies and provide programmatic opportunities to support all students in adopting physically active lifestyles. The 2023 Education Sector strategies target K-12 education, preschool and early childhood education, as well as college and university c…
Barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to promote healthy weight behaviors among preschool-aged children in two rural U.S communities
Rural areas experience multiple challenges that make it difficult for children/families to engage in healthy weight behaviors. This study highlights several assets (existing programs/resources, expertise within communities) that can be leveraged as facilitators. Findings will guide the study team in developing a child obesity prevention intervention for the two rural communities
Protocol to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an environmental nutrition and physical activity intervention in nurseries (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child C…
ISRCTN33134697, 31/10/2019
Míranos! a comprehensive preschool obesity prevention programme in low-income Latino children
Objective: To test a culturally tailored obesity prevention intervention in low-income, minority preschool age children. Design: A three-group clustered randomised controlled trial. Setting: Twelve Head Start centres were randomly assigned to a centre-based intervention, a combined centre- and home-based intervention, or control using a 1:1:1 ratio. The centre-based intervention modified centre physical activity and nutrition policies, staff prac…
Confirmatory factor analysis of the infant feeding styles questionnaire in infant and toddler child care teachers
Experiences pertaining to child nutrition and care provision among early care and education stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors during the Covid-19 pandemic
Purpose: This study used multiple methods (interviews, survey) to assess experiences of stakeholders, sponsors, and center-based early care and education (ECE) program directors pertaining to child nutrition (e.g., provision of nutritious foods, mealtime practices, CACFP administration/use) and the provision of child-care (i.e., day-to-day ECE operations and programming) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants included stakeholders fr…
Associations between a Universal Free Breakfast Policy and School Breakfast Program Participation, School Attendance, and Weight Status
Breakfast consumption among youth is associated with improved diet quality, weight, cognition, and behavior. However, not all youth in the United States consume breakfast. Participation in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is also low relative to the lunch program. Universal free breakfast (UFB) policies have been implemented to increase breakfast participation by reducing cost and stigma associated with the SBP. This study examined whether a UF…
Family child care home providers’ self-reported nutrition and physical activity practices, self-efficacy, barriers and knowledge
Objective: Describe nutrition and physical activity practices, nutrition self-efficacy and barriers and food programme knowledge within Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and differences by staffing. Design: Baseline, cross-sectional analyses of the Happy Healthy Homes randomised trial (NCT03560050). Setting: FCCH in Oklahoma, USA. Participants: FCCH providers ( n 49, 100 % women, 30·6 % Non-Hispanic Black, 2·0 % Hispanic, 4·1 % American Indian/Alask…
College student motivations for and perceived impacts of volunteering with a nutrition and cooking education program for children
To assess among college students their motivations for and perceived impacts of volunteering with Cooking Matters for Kids as part of No Kid Hungry NC. Seventeen college student volunteers responded to an online survey questionnaire assessing their motivations for volunteering and how they were impacted by their experiences. Motivational functions for volunteering (values, understanding, social, career, protective, enhancement) were assessed usin…
Obesogenic home food availability, diet, and BMI in Pakistani and White toddlers
Individuals of South Asian ethnicity have an increased risk for obesity and related diseases. Foods available in the home during the first 1000 days (conception to 24 months old) are an important determinant of diet, yet no study has examined the association of early-life home food availability (HFA) with later diet and obesity risk in South Asian households. We examined whether obesogenic HFA at 18 months of age is associated with dietary intake…
Efficacy of an Enhanced Implementation Strategy to Increase Parent Engagement with a Health Promotion Program in Childcare
Previous efforts to involve parents in implementation of childcare-based health promotion interventions have yielded limited success, suggesting a need for different implementation strategies. This study evaluated the efficacy of an enhanced implementation strategy to increase parent engagement with Healthy Me , Healthy We . This quasi-experimental study included childcare centers from the second of two waves of a cluster-randomized trial. The st…
Screen Time Parenting Practices and Associations with Preschool Children’s TV Viewing and Weight-Related Outcomes
The purpose of this study was to examine associations between screen time (ST) parenting practices and 2-5-year-old children's TV viewing and weight status. Data were collected from 252 parent-child dyads enrolled in a randomized parent-focused childhood obesity prevention trial from 2009-2012. ST parenting practices were assessed at baseline using a validated parent-reported survey. Parent-reported child TV viewing and objectively measured anthr…
An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework
Objective: To highlight opportunities for future nutrition intervention research within early childhood and education care (ECEC) settings, with a focus on generating evidence that has applicability to real-world policy and practice. Methods: An overview of opportunities to progress the field was developed by the authors using a collaborative writing approach and informed by recent research in the field. The group developed a list of recommendati…
Lessons From the Feasibility Testing of a Parent-Focused, Life Skills–Based Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Preschoolers From Underserved Families
This article describes lessons from the feasibility testing of a parent-focused, life skills-based intervention to promote healthy weight in 58 low-income children aged 2 to 5 years. This intervention was feasible and acceptable, with a potential to impact child weight and diet (calories) and parental quality of life (QOL). The group delivery approach through a partnering organization (Head Start) was a more efficient way to reach/engage parents.…
Barriers and Facilitators of Parent Engagement With Health Promotion in Child Care
BACKGROUND: Early care and education providers cite lack of parent engagement as a central barrier to promoting healthy behaviors among young children. However, little research exists about factors influencing parent engagement with promoting healthy eating and activity behaviors in the this setting. AIMS: campaign to identify barriers and facilitators of parent engagement with the intervention. METHOD: . Recruitment focused on centers with the f…
A physical activity, nutrition and oral health intervention in nursery settings
ISRCTN16287377 (10 Apr 2015)
Improving nutrition and physical activity environments of family child care homes
(# NCT02452645 ) ClinicalTrials.gov Trial registered on May 22, 2015
Modifying the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (Epao) to better capture feeding practices of family childcare home providers
Objective To describe the modification and validation of an existing instrument, the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO), to better capture provider feeding practices. Design Modifications to the EPAO were made, validity assessed through expert review, pilot tested and then used to collect follow-up data during a two-day home visit from an ongoing cluster-randomized trial. Exploratory factor analysis investigated the underlyi…
Association of food parenting practice patterns with obesogenic dietary intake in Hispanic/Latino youth
Now is not the time for isolationism
compromising individual, national, and global health
Association of diet in nurseries and physical activity with zBMI in 2–4-year olds in England
ISRCTN16287377 . Registered 12 June 2014
Racial Differences in Weight Loss Mediated by Engagement and Behavior Change
The weight loss disparity may be addressed through improved website engagement and adoption of weight control behaviors
The family child care home environment and children's diet quality
What matters most - what parents model or what parents eat
Acculturation and overweight-related behaviors among Hispanic immigrants to the US
What matters most - what parents model or what parents eat
Promotion of Physical Activity Among High-School Girls
Objectives. Many adolescent girls fail to meet national guidelines for physical activity, and the prevalence of obesity is increasing among this group. Our study examined the effects of a comprehensive school-based intervention on physical activity among high-school girls. Methods. A group-randomized controlled field trial was conducted at 24 high schools. A school-based sample of 2744 girls (48.7% African American, 46.7% White) participated in a…
Providers’ response to child eating behaviors
Drivers of overweight mothers' food choice behaviors depend on child gender
Association of food parenting practice patterns with obesogenic dietary intake in Hispanic/Latino youth
Self-reported and observed feeding practices of Rhode Island Head Start teachers
Evaluating Food Policy Councils Using Structural Equation Modeling
At least 282 Food Policy Councils ( FPC s) are currently working to improve access to healthy foods in their communities by connecting food system sectors, gathering community input, and advising food policy. Empirical research on FPC s is limited. This study empirically evaluates FPC s to better understand the relationships between Organizational Capacity, Social Capital, and Council Effectiveness by testing a FPC Framework adapted from Allen an…
Mothers’ guilt responses to children’s obesity risk feedback
This study explored the influence of family health history-based obesity risk feedback for their child on 147 overweight mothers’ guilt related to children’s lifestyle behaviors and passing down a genetic propensity for overweight. Mothers were randomized to receive, or not, obesity risk feedback for their 4- to 5-year-old child and then made food choices for them using a virtual reality–based buffet. Receipt of risk information increased lifesty…
The family child care home environment and children's diet quality
Do physical activity facilities near schools affect physical activity in high school girls
Cracks
Predictors of Alcohol Use Among Rural Adolescents
There is increasing evidence that alcohol use is becoming more common during childhood and early adolescence. However, little is known about alcohol use among rural youths. This article reports a study of alcohol use among 367 fifth‐grade students in two rural South Carolina school districts. More than one third (n=131) of the fifth graders reported having used alcohol. Of these, 34 percent (n=44) reported drinking during the previous month; 8 pe…
Physical activity and determinants of physical activity in obese and non-obese children
Determinants of Physical Activity in Middle School Children
Within our sample of sixth graders, the utility of the TRA or TPB as a framework for activity interventions appears to be limited
Acculturation and overweight-related behaviors among Hispanic immigrants to the US
Accelerometer Use in Physical Activity
Researchers are increasingly interested in the potential of accelerometers to improve our ability to measure and understand the health impacts of physical activity. Although accelerometers have been available commercially for more than 25 yr, broad consensus about how to use these tools has not been established. At a scientific conference in December 2004, a number of scientists were invited to present papers, serve as reactors or moderators to p…
Promotion of Physical Activity Among High-School Girls
Objectives. Many adolescent girls fail to meet national guidelines for physical activity, and the prevalence of obesity is increasing among this group. Our study examined the effects of a comprehensive school-based intervention on physical activity among high-school girls. Methods. A group-randomized controlled field trial was conducted at 24 high schools. A school-based sample of 2744 girls (48.7% African American, 46.7% White) participated in a…
Preparing Child Care Health Consultants to Address Childhood Overweight
Measurement of Perceived School Climate for Active Travel in Children
School climate for active travel is a measurable construct, and preliminary evidence suggests relationships with more support for active travel from friends and family
The Childcare Environment and Children’s Physical Activity
An Instrument to Assess the Obesogenic Environment of Child Care Centers
Although some revisions are required, the interobserver agreement for the environment and policy assessment and observation (EPAO instrument) appears to be quite good for assessing the nutrition and physical activity environment of child care centers
What Role Can Child-Care Settings Play in Obesity Prevention? A Review of the Evidence and Call for Research Efforts
Integrating a family-focused approach into child obesity prevention
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00998348
Do physical activity facilities near schools affect physical activity in high school girls
State Policies Targeting Junk Food in Schools
Objectives. We estimated the association between state policy changes and adolescent soda consumption and body mass index (BMI) percentile, overall and by race/ethnicity. Methods. We obtained data on whether states required or recommended that schools prohibit junk food in vending machines, snack bars, concession stands, and parties from the 2000 and 2006 School Health Policies and Programs Study. We used linear mixed models to estimate the assoc…
A comparison of infant and toddler feeding practices of mothers with and without histories of eating disorders
This preliminary study surveyed the feeding practices of mothers with eating disorder histories through evaluation of mothers' reported feeding styles, child diet composition and restrictive special approaches to feeding. For this non-randomised cohort study, 25 mothers with eating disorder histories and 25 mothers with no history of an eating disorder with children ages 6-36 months were selected such that the groups were similar based on child a…
Children, parents, and pets exercising together (CPET) randomised controlled trial
ISRCTN85939423
Bodily Deviations and Body Image in Adolescence
Adolescents with unusually sized or shaped bodies may experience ridicule, rejection, or exclusion based on their negatively valued bodily characteristics. Such experiences can have negative consequences for a person's image and evaluation of self. This study focuses on the relationship between bodily deviations and body image and is based on a national survey of 3,898 students attending 9th and 10th grade (age 14-16) in the Icelandic school syst…
Measuring parent food practices
Children, parents and pets exercising together (CPET)
ISRCTN85939423
Should Child Obesity be an Issue for Child Protective Services? A Call for More Research on this Critical Public Health Issue
Given the lasting effects on adolescent and adult health, childhood obesity is a major public health issue. The relatively slow progress toward the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, however, has prompted leaders in both academic and practice sectors to advocate for what may be considered a radical intervention approach, to conceptualize extreme child obesity as an issue of child maltreatment. Advocates of this approach suggest that t…
Peer Support Enhanced Social Support in Adolescent Females During Weight Loss
Findings suggest that an intervention targeting peer support skills results in greater feelings of peer support
Application of the Intervention Mapping protocol to develop Keys, a family child care home intervention to prevent early childhood obesity
The IM process, while time-consuming, enabled rigorous and systematic development of intervention components that are directly tied to behavior change theory and may increase the potential for behavior change within the FCCHs
Validation of PIN 3 physical activity survey in low-income overweight and obese young mothers
Clinical Trials Number: NCT01839708
Drivers of overweight mothers' food choice behaviors depend on child gender
Medicine (53 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (43 works) · Psychology (41 works) · Nursing (27 works) · Obesity (22 works) · Public health (20 works) · Developmental psychology (18 works) · Gerontology (18 works) · Overweight (18 works) · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues (17 works)