Design of the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study
Explore a community-wide approach to supporting healthy eating and physical activity among children.
A community-wide, multi-sector approach can help create environments that support healthy eating and physical activity among children. Learn how one comprehensive initiative brought together healthcare, schools, early childhood programs, families, and communities to support healthier behaviors and address childhood obesity.
The Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (MA-CORD) Study examines an integrated approach across multiple sectors and settings to prevent and reduce childhood obesity among children ages 2–12 in two low-income Massachusetts communities. Rather than focusing on a single program or setting, MA-CORD brought together interventions across primary healthcare, early care and education, schools and afterschool programs, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and the broader community.
The study focused on behaviors that can support healthy weight, including eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, increasing physical activity, reducing screen time, and supporting healthy sleep. It also addressed the environments surrounding children by promoting changes to policies, programs, healthcare practices, food and beverage environments, and opportunities for physical activity.
This research provides an example of how a multi-sector approach can coordinate efforts across families, healthcare providers, educators, community organizations, and public health systems to support healthier behaviors among children.
