SALSI Miranós Early Childhood Intervention

In 2003, authorized by the 77th Texas Legislature, the UT System, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and UT San Antonio (UTSA) formed the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) to promote greater scientific collaboration between the two institutions. SALSI makes grant funding available to Health Science Center and UTSA faculty. This includes Míranos, a two-year obesity and diabetes prevention project currently in three preschools that teach primarily Mexican-American children. The project is testing whether it is possible to indoctrinate students — for life — with healthy behaviors via positive interactions with their parents, teachers and school workers. The program uses the concept that kids will develop healthy behaviors if provided an interactive, supporting learning environment at school and home.

Funding

The UT System

Principle Investigators

Zenong Yin, PhD UT San Antonio

Collaborations

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio UT San Antonio Edgewood Independent School District Sesame Street Workshop

Location

San Antonio, Texas

Conclusions

The Miranos intervention:

•Lowered kid BMIs
•Improved kids’ nutrition/activity attitudes, habits
•Parents gave kids more fruit, watched less TV
•Daycare staff adopted healthier lifestyles
•Built community ties

In conclusion, the program indicates that nutrition/physical activity should be standard part of daycare curriculum.