Biometric screening and health risk appraisal of head start staff: Pilot study

Authors: SAAB, RABAB - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); LOPEZ, SANDRA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); WOOD, ALEXIS - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Community Medicine, Public Health & Education
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2018
Publication Date: 12/30/2018
Citation: Saab, R., Lopez, S., Wood, A.C., Nicklas, T.A. 2018. Biometric screening and health risk appraisal of head start staff: Pilot study. Community Medicine, Public Health & Education. 2018(1):1-5.

Interpretive Summary: Overweight and obesity is affecting nearly three of every four adults in the US. Obesity has adverse effects on health particularly on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CVD prevalence and severity. The goal of this pilot study was to assess the lifestyles and health status of Head Start (HS) staff; specifically, the prevalence of CVD risk factors. To assess the health of HS staff, biometric screening including a blood draw was performed on 40 HS staff to determine one's fasting blood glucose levels, cholesterol and triglycerides. To complement the screening, participants also completed a health risk appraisal (HRA) that provided information on demographic characteristics (age, sex), lifestyle (exercise, diet, alcohol intake, smoking, alcohol intake, screen time); stress level, personal or family medical history, attitudes and willingness to change behaviors to improve health and physiological data. The findings from this pilot study confirm that a large percentage of HS staff exhibit CVD risk factors and less desirable health behaviors. As such, a wellness program tailored to the needs of HS staff is warranted. Future efforts to develop best practices for childcare health should incorporate the concept of staff wellness.

Technical Abstract: The purpose was to assess the lifestyles and health status of Head Start (HS) staff. Biometric screening and a health risk appraisal were conducted. HS participants were 40 females, mean age 47.7+/-12.0 years. Eighty-five percent with high BMI >=25, and 77.5% waist circumference WC >= 35", 50% with high systolic BP>= 140 mm Hg and 32.5% diastolic BP>= 90 mm Hg, 32.5% presented high blood glucose >=100 mg/dL, 27% low HDL Cholesterol<=50 mg/dL, 22.5% high triglyceride >=150 mg/dL and 15% high LDL Cholesterol >=130 mg/dL. Eighty percent were on medication. One cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor was prevalent in nine and four or more CVD risk factors were prevalent in 40% of the staff. Most of the staff were physically inactive or with light activity, 33% described their health as poor or fair, 68% wanted to change their diet and 75% wanted to lose weight. Data from this study indicated that majority of HS staff were overweight or obese and 40% exhibited multiple CVD risk factors. As such, a wellness program tailored to the needs of HS staff is warranted.