Achieving a State of Healthy Weight (ASHW)

Examining the Strength of Childhood Obesity Prevention Standards in State Child Care Regulations

Since 2010, the University of Colorado College of Nursing has been an academic leader in the national effort to prevent childhood obesity in early care and education (ECE) programs.

The Achieving a State of Healthy Weight (ASHW) assessment examines the strength of obesity prevention rules in state child care licensing across the country. Each year, the ASHW assessment team publishes an Annual Report and updates the state profiles in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO). These publications are updated every September to include data for the previous calendar year.

ASHW publications provide state-specific data on the regulatory support for 47 High-Impact Obesity Prevention Standards (HIOPS) across each licensed care type, including Child Care Centers, Large Family Child Care Homes, and Small Family Child Care Homes. States can use these publications to strengthen obesity prevention policies and practices in ECE regulations. The current and past ASHW reports, and supplements, and other Healthy Weight Resources are available below.

For more information or inquiries, please contact us at healthyweight@cuanschutz.edu.