Discussion Paper Series
Discussion Paper 108
Issued February 2007
Head Start Participation and Childhood Obesity
David Frisvold, PhD, University of Michigan
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem that also has economic consequences. Medical research suggests that nutritional interventions at a young age can influence nutritional behavior and reduce childhood obesity. This paper estimates the impact of one such intervention—Head Start—on childhood overweight and obesity. While Head Start is more commonly known as an educational intervention, a large part of the program includes nutrition services and nutritional education to parents and children. For black children, Head Start participation is shown to reduce the likelihood of being obese in later childhood.
David Frisvold
University of Michigan
School of Public Health
Health Management and Policy
109 Observatory
SPH-II M2102
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
frisvold@umich.edu
The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Early Childhood Research Collaborative.
Spotlight:
i3 Grant Announcement, December 22, 2011
HCRC receives Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund grant for Midwest CPC Expansion [pdf], December 21, 2011
Human Capital Research Collaborative Brown Bag Faculty Research Seminars, 3rd Tuesday of the month, Oct. 2011–Apr. 2012
U study finds big preschool payoffs, Star Tribune, June 9, 2011
Art Rolnick testifies before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, June 9, 2011
Art Rolnick presents at TEDxTC on the Economic Case for Early Childhood Development, May 5, 2010
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Past News and Events
Human Capital Research Collaborative Brown Bag Faculty Research Seminars, 3rd Tuesday of the month, Sept. 2010–Apr. 2011
Assessing the Validity of Minnesota School Readiness Indicators [pdf]
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