The HOME Project aims to prevent childhood obesity by increasing parental efficacy for meal planning and cooking and promoting more family meals eaten together at home. The project uses social cognitive theory and social network theory frameworks. Dyads work together in selected neighborhoods to learn cooking skills, bond over shared meals, and provide social and emotional support. The goal is to empower families to make healthy eating choices and reduce obesity rates.

1. The HOME Project – Prevention of Childhood Obesity
Dorothy D. Zeviar, Ed.D., LAc
Department of Community and Family Health
Background and Significance Purpose of Intervention Theoretical Frameworks and
To prevent childhood obesity by Project Description
increasing parental efficacy for meal-
• Childhood obesity doubled in past 30 Table 1. Social Cognitive Theory Elements of the HOME Project Table 2. Social Network Theory Elements of the HOME Project
planning and cooking, and increase
years Reciprocal determinism -- Choosing locations to sponsor the Social Reciprocity – Dyads working together provide both
family meals eaten together at home The individual, the behavior and the HOME project which are in selected Mutual support and resources are social time together for an activity that
• Childhood obesity increased from 6% environment all impact and influence
each other in a mutual process
Tampa neighborhoods, affiliated with
neighborhood schools, churches, or
given and shared in perceived equal
value
benefits both – a healthy meal cooked
together
recreational facilities/clubs, and
Emotional support – Dyads working together provide an
to 19% among 6-11 years old recruiting instructors which match the
demographics of the target population.
Both parent and child demonstrate
mutual love and respect when both
opportunity to do a new activity
together and bond over food cooked
• Childhood obesity increased from 5% Psychological determinants –
How confident the person is with
making correct choices, how s/he will
Focusing on the value of “Families
come First,” how family values are
reinforced through meals together at
can accomplish an activity that is
mutually beneficial
and consumed together. Frequent
praising is part of the classroom
culture
feel after making the choice, and home, reinforcing how learners can
to 18% among 12-19 years old whether everyone in the referent group
feels competent at making the same
easily learn to plan and prepare a
healthy and low-cost meal at home,
Instrumental support –
Provision of tangible aid and support to
Having the instructor/facilitator right
there in the class providing hands-on
the neophyte’s early attempts to try a guidance for how to plan and make a
• Over 17% of child population choices. Self-efficacy is the
cornerstone of this construct
and recognizing others’ affirmations of
ability to complete the task
new skill healthy meal creates the conditions for
success. Having easy phone or web-
Environmental determinants – Having access to a health educator by site access to another facilitator or
is overweight or obese The rewards and motivations to
encourage the behaviors, and the
phone or email, providing free targeted
cookbooks for participants, and having
health educator increases access to
instrumental support. Frequent
degree to which making these choices a large “family dinner” celebration at statements of praise are part of the
• Highest prevalence among African- is facilitated by the project
Observational learning –
the end of the project
Having dyads of parent/child learners Informational support –
process
The instructor/facilitator is right in the
“Families Come First” The presence of role models similar to learn not only from the instructor, by Provision of information, advice or classroom providing advice and
American, Hispanic and Native American the neophyte practicing the new
behaviors, and cultural institutions that
from each other and also from the
other dyads. Inclusion of “ethnic”
suggestions to help learners
successfully practice a new skill
suggestions for dyads to successfully
accomplish the task. A culturally-
reinforce desired behaviors recipes that reinforce healthy “Families appropriate recipe book filled with low-
children come First” cost meal-planning ideas and meals
that take under 30 minutes to cook is
Self-regulation – By giving step-by-step “homework”
given as part of class enrollment.
A way of rewarding and reinforcing each week that focuses on choosing a
Guidance will also be provided on how
oneself for performing the behavior recipe, making a shopping list, and
to increase the nutritional value of
such that intrinsic motivators are coming to class to learn how to
recipes through the addition of fruits,
stronger than extrinsic, and more likely prepare the recipe, learners will self-
vegetables, and whole grains as
to reinforce healthy behaviors over reinforce that they can easily perform
appropriate.
time. the task. With social support from
other family members, learners will Appraisal support – The instructor/facilitator continuously
feel validated in their abilities Constructive feedback and affirmation provides constructive feedback and
of participants’ efforts to plan and cook praise to participants as they learn and
meals practice new skills. The culture of the
learning environment is positive,
constructive and encouraging.
Intervention Goals Conclusion
• Although obesity is a multi-faceted problem in America, beginning with small steps at the inter-personal (family)
• Increase the number of weekly family level is the best and most direct way to influence healthy behaviors of children and thus reduce the prevalence of
childhood obesity.
• Families don’t enjoy mealtimes together as often as in the past due to busy lifestyles, no time to plan and cook
meals eaten together at home meals, and lack of skills associated with planning and cooking.
 Facilitate parent/child interactive classes on • This project attempts to minimize these barriers through the use of hands-on learning and observational
learning, provision of culturally-appropriate recipes, “field trips” to the local supermarket and Farmer’s Market,
meal-planning and cooking and lots of positive reinforcement.
• By learning and cooking meals together, the family structure is supported and reinforced, healthful childhood
Healthy Life Tips. Retrieved from  Demonstrate easy-to-prepare meals that eating preferences are established, childhood overweight is reduced, and good habits are learned early and
http://www.katrinatribute.info/childhood-obesity- carried throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
graphs-warns-us-of-future-problems.html take < 30 mins to prepare
 Demonstrate how to add fruits, vegetables, References
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