The Colorado LEAP Study: A Socioecological Approach to Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood

The Colorado Longitudinal Eating And Physical activity (LEAP) Study utilizes a social ecological approach to explore individual, family and environmental factors and their relationship to child weight status over a 3 year timeframe. Our primary research questions are as follows: 1. Are behavior changes (increased willingness to try new foods and gross motor skills) from a preschool nutrition and activity program, The Food Friends®, sustained through early elementary school? 2. Do The Food Friends® programs have an impact on reducing the percentage of children considered overweight and/or obese over a 3 year timeframe? 3. Do food preference and gross motor performance directly affect child weight status or are they mediators to dietary intake and physical activity?