What to know
CDC's Spectrum of Opportunities Framework guides states and communities in their Early Care and Education (ECE) work. It can help identify how healthy growth and obesity prevention policies and activities can be embedded into ECE systems.
How is the framework used?
The Spectrum of Opportunities for Obesity Prevention in Early Care and Education Settings is commonly called the Spectrum of Opportunities Framework. It describes nine areas for states to consider as they work to improve ECE policies and practices. The specific options in the Spectrum were designed for states. However, communities can also consider the nine focus areas when planning their own work.
High-impact obesity prevention standards can be embedded into these nine areas to support children's healthy growth and prevent obesity. The standards cover infant feeding, nutrition, physical activity, and limiting screen time. Farm to ECE best practices can also be embedded into ECE systems.
Each spectrum area has a variety of options states can consider as they plan and carry out their ECE work.
Learn more
Strategies for Early Care and Education provide examples of state and local actions using the Spectrum of Opportunity Framework.
Quick Start Action Guide complements the Spectrum of Opportunities and can help states and communities get started with their work.
High-Impact Obesity Prevention Standards are science-based best practices to prevent obesity in ECE settings.
The ECE State Indicator Report has information about current policies and activities in states to support healthy growth and prevent obesity in ECE.
Success Stories from state and local recipients describe efforts and outcomes to support healthy growth and obesity prevention in ECE.
Advancing Farm to ECE and Advancing Early Child Nutrition provide related examples of policies and activities used in the ECE setting.