Childhood Obesity Project Seeks Head Start Participants

Childhood Obesity Project Seeks Head Start Participants

Recruitment is now underway in four counties for the Parents and Children Engaged project, an 8-week program to educate parents of Head Start children about childhood obesity, according to Dr. Martha Ravola, assistant vice president of academic support and principal investigator.

The program, sponsored by the Alcorn State University School of Agriculture, Extension, Research and Applied Sciences, will recruit participants through January 2017 at Head Start centers in Adams, Amite, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties.

“Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the state of Mississippi. PACE’s intention is to educate parents about nutrition, physical activity, screen time and sleep, and how these correlate to a child’s weight,” said Ravola.

Interested parents may sign-up at one of the four centers. Once the program starts November 2016 through January 2017, each Head Start center will host a program.

For more details, contact Dr. Martha Ravola, principal investigator, at 601-877-4717 or [email protected] or Priscilla Houston, research aide at 601-877-4709 or [email protected]