NCCOR recently published its 2021 annual report titled Creating Environments to Grow, Move, & Thrive. It highlights how NCCOR members have advanced the field of childhood obesity research in 2021, with a special focus on how environments shape children’s nutrition and physical activity. NCCOR approached this research with the goal of eliminating health disparities and recognizing the continued impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
This year’s annual report demonstrates how NCCOR connects and convenes experts and translates research findings into timely, tailored resources. Featured projects include:
- Impact of COVID-19 on Child Care Programs, Potential Solutions, and Emerging Opportunities
NCCOR worked with the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition to publish a report based on key informant interviews. This research explored how the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) investments may affect early childhood education centers. - Surveillance of Youth Active Travel to School
NCCOR published a literature review and manuscript exploring key challenges related to the surveillance and measurement of youth active travel to school. These products identify gaps in existing surveillance systems, pinpoint needs for users of these systems, and develop practical strategies and solutions to strengthen surveillance where gaps exist. - Trail Use to Promote Physical Activity and Health Among Underserved Youth
This research brief identifies programs with process or outcome evaluation data that promote trail use among youth. It outlines the strengths of these programs, including their reach and scalability, focus on under-resourced communities, and evaluations. It concludes with future considerations for improving programs and encouraging more youth trail use. - A Toolkit for Evaluating Childhood Healthy Weight Programs
NCCOR developed this toolkit to help researchers, practitioners, and community programs gain confidence in conducting program evaluations. It reviews key concepts and provides detailed guidance on the core components of effective evaluations. It also features a resource library, with links to guides, databases, research articles, and other public health toolkits.
In addition to project profiles, this year’s report contains a list of publications and presentations, childhood obesity statistics, and a detailed list of NCCOR members, making it a helpful summary of current topics in the field and an excellent introduction to NCCOR for those who are new to childhood obesity research. Copies are available to download on the NCCOR website.