摘要：The CooperativeExtension system is uniquely positioned to lead rural community efforts to prevent obesityin early childhood. This article explores best practices in promoting healthy weights among young children and shares examples and resources relevant toExtension programming. The West Virginia (WV)Healthy Children Project aims to improve community, home, and early care and education(ECE) environments by promotinghealthy eating, physical activity, outdoor play, and reduced screen time. This project primarily focuseson interventions with ECE providers serving 2-5-year-oldchildren in three rural counties. Comprehensive assessments informed the interventions and guided Community Advisory Committees.ECE providers were trained in “I Am Moving,I Am Learning”(IMIL) and “Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care”(Go NAP SACC) best practices and were supported with technical assistance and classroom resources. Garden-based learning, natural playscapes, painted playgrounds, and farm-to-ECE further enhanced the environments and experiences. Community leaders were engaged in advisory committees, transformative projects, and local family-focused activities. The efficacyof these practices was trackedusing quantitative and qualitative evaluation strategies conducted throughout the project,includingobservations,ripple effects mapping, and questionnaires. This article describes the overall projectstrategiesand reveals the lessons learned andthe challenges encountered.
