Barriers and Facilitators to Healthy Eating and Activity in Head Start Staff: An Opportunity for Worksite Wellness

Abstract

Background: Head Start (HS) staff are ideally positioned to promote healthy behaviors to over one million low-income children each year, however little is understood about their own health. Purpose: To conduct a needs assessment with HS staff to: 1) understand perceptions, barriers and motivators to healthful behaviors; and 2) ascertain interest in a worksite wellness program. Methods: Surveys (n = 154) and telephone interviews (n = 25) were conducted with HS staff from eight Colorado HS centers (4 rural, 4 urban). Results: Findings indicate that 56% of teachers were overweight or obese, 89% wanted to be more active, and 86.6% desired wellness programming. Motivators consisted of relief of stress, health, and weight control; barriers included time, fatigue, and money; desired topics included nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Motivators, barriers and interest topics were consistent across surveys and interviews. Discussion and Translation to Health Education Practice: HS staff want and need comprehensive wellness programming. Wellness programming should be tailored to include nutrition, physical activity and stress reduction strategies utilizing multifaceted modes of delivery. Improved staff wellness and increased comfort with health and wellness topics could impact the school environment and young children's health.

Acknowledgments

We thank the teachers and staff at the participating Head Start centers for taking part in this study.