Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program

Early Childhood (birth-five years) Task Force

More and more children are overweight at a young age. Current treatment methods for overweight are largely unsuccessful. Once overweight, a large percentage of children will remain overweight and will suffer associated health problems later in life. Due to these factors, the early childhood years are opportune times to prevent overweight and obesity. 

The COPAN's Early Childhood Task Force is a collaboration of state and local public health agencies and community partners with expertise in nutrition, physical activity, and early childhood development. The task force recognizes the need for prevention of overweight during early childhood (birth to age five) and the need for developmentally appropriate interventions. Knowing that childhood overweight is a community issue, action steps are targeted not only at community leaders, but also at parents, caregivers, public health educators, healthcare providers, teachers, and others who provide care and services to young children. Collaboration is crucial at both the state and local levels. 

Learn more about the Task Force's efforts to improve early childhood physical activity and nutrition in Colorado:

• Early Childhood: Defining the Issue
• Early Childhood (birth-five years) Task Force Strategies
• Early Childhood Workplan Activities
• Early Childhood Task Force Fact Sheet
• Child Care Champions
• Child Care Champions' self assessment