A CUSTOMIZED INTERVENTION PROGRAM AIMING AT IMPROVING HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: IRAN HEALTHY START STUDY PROTOCOL

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study is to introduce the design and evaluation plan of Iran Healthy Start (IHS)/Aghazi Salem, Koodake Irani -the customized Iranian version of Canadian Healthy Start/Deport Santé health promotion program- which is now being developed in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Mashhad, Iran), and focuses on improving physical activity and healthy eating among preschool children.Methods: The intervention will be evaluated by a pilot randomized controlled design. The components of intervention are including customized Decoda online resources for children, implementation guide for educators and managers, training and monitoring, communication and knowledge exchange, building partnership and parent engagement. Outcomes include changes in anthropometry, physical activity level, nutritional risk status and dietary intake and quality of life.Results: The project is funded in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The first results of IHS intervention program is expected to be submitted for publication within coming two months. Conclusion: Double burden of malnutrition in early years children is a major health concern in developing countries. This justifies the need for health promotion programs that specifically designed to target both over- and under-nutrition prevention. If the efficacy approved, Iran Healthy Start has the potential of a comprehensive health promotion program for young children whose life style behaviors can be improved toward a healthy future life in a nutrition transition setting.

Keywords:

childhood obesity , parent , Healthy Start/Deport Sante , Iran , intervention