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Multifaceted community interventions directed at improving food environments are emerging, but their impact on dietary change and obesity prevalence has not been adequately documented. The Healthy Communities Study (HCS) is seeking to identify characteristics and combinations of programs and policies that are associated with children's diets and obesity-related outcomes in various types of communities across the U.S. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods used in 2013-2015 in the HCS to assess dietary intake, school nutrition environments, and other nutrition-related behaviors. The conceptual framework of the HCS is based on the socioecological model and behaviors shown in previous studies to be related to obesity in children guided selection of domains. Nine domains were identified as essential measures of nutrition in the HCS: (1) intake of selected foods and beverages; (2) food patterns and behaviors; (3) social support; (4) home environment; (5) school environment; (6) community environment; (7) breastfeeding history; (8) household food insecurity; and (9) dieting behaviors and body image. Children's dietary intake was assessed using a dietary screener and up to two automated 24-hour recalls. Dietary-related behaviors were assessed by a survey administered to the parent, child, or both, depending on child age. School nutrition measures were obtained from a combination of school staff surveys and researcher observations. Information from these measures is expected to contribute to a better understanding of "what is working" to improve the dietary behaviors that are likely to prevent obesity and improve health in children.

Introduction: Reaching preschool-aged children to establish healthy lifestyle habits, including physical activity, is an important component of obesity prevention efforts. However, few studies have examined family child care homes where nearly 1 million children receive care.Study Design: A pre- and post-intervention evaluation without a control group was conducted to evaluate what changes occurred in family child care homes that participated in the Healthy Eating and Active Living project, a multicomponent obesity prevention initiative, focused on community-driven policy and environmental change in neighborhoods within Kaiser Permanente service areas.Setting/participants: From 2012 to 2014, a total of 17 family child care homes in Northern California participated in the intervention.Intervention: A physical activity workshop for child care staff and technical assistance to develop a policy to promote physical activity and other healthy behaviors.Main Outcome Measures: Pre and post observations, questionnaires, and physical activity logs were completed to assess change in physical activity resources available in the family child care homes, the amount of child screen time offered, type and amount of physical activity offered to children, and implementation of physical activity best practices.Results: Between baseline and follow-up, providers significantly increased both the number of structured, adult-led activities (2.6 vs 3.2 activities per day) and the number of structured, adult-led minutes of activity in which children participated (49 vs 83 minutes per day). Providers also improved screen time practices and made improvements to the physical activity environment.Conclusions: In this study, a community-based organization designed and implemented multicomponent strategies tailored for participating family child care homes. The successful implementation of the intervention likely contributed to implementation of practices that increased opportunities for physical activity for the young children attending these family child care homes.Supplement Information: This article is part of a supplement entitled Building Thriving Communities Through Comprehensive Community Health Initiatives, which is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Community Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]