eating were found. Healthy eating is represented by a home-cooked meal with meat, vegetables and starch. The primary motivation to eat healthier was in response to im- mediate family members’ disease (i.e. obesity, diabetes) and eating habits/attitudes of older siblings/other family members were perceived as the biggest barriers to encour- aging their preschoolers to eat healthy. Conclusions and Implications: Mothers are aware of the importance of healthy eating and make effort to make home-cooked meals for their preschoolers. However, nutrition educators should provide specific strategies for reducing barriers to healthy eating at both individual and family level are needed. Funding: None. P69 Adopting Healthy Habits: Nutrition Educators Expand Roles to Include Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Tisa Hill, MPH, tfh3@cornell.edu, Cornell University, Division of Nutrition Sciences, 343 MVR, Ithaca, NY 14853; J. Dollahite, PhD Objective: To identify programmatic supports necessary for professional and paraprofessional nutrition educators to expand beyond direct education and engage in policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes that make healthy choices easier in environments where children and adults live, learn, work, and play. Design, Setting and Participants: Adopting Healthy Habits (AHH), a formative, community-based participa- tory research study, supported 16 existing Cooperative Extension staff in seven diverse counties across New York. AHH staff translated statewide strategies (staff development, worksite wellness programs in their own and partner organizations, and engagement in local coa- litions) into site-based efforts driven by local needs and opportunities. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Output and outcome data were collected through yearly work plans, periodic focus groups and interviews with staff and partners, com- munity readiness and other needs assessments, and monthly documentation of activities. Data analysis identi- fied successes and challenges and programmatic supports and resources required for adoption of expanded roles. Results: With guidance, dedicated time, and skill develop- ment, nutrition educators can expand their roles and become agents of PSE changes. Results documented best practices for work with partners in primary sectors, i.e. schools, community organizations, and coalitions. Specific successes and challenges elucidated additional needs regarding effective evaluation tools, resources to support dedicated time for PSEs, and staff training relevant to mul- tiple community roles undertaken by professional and paraprofessional staff. Conclusions and Implications: AHH outcomes illumi- nate opportunities within current partnerships to engage in and implement PSEs. Site-specific case studies detail contextual variation and serve as roadmaps for PSE initia- tion. Challenges remain and additional research is needed to develop sensitive and effective evaluation tools. Funding: USDA. P70 Messages to Parents of Middle-School Children: Choosing Effective Strategies to Support Healthy Food and Drink Choices Tisa Hill, MPH, tfh3@cornell.edu, Cornell University, 343 MVR, Ithaca, NY 14853; A. Gaines, PhD; E. Green, BS, RD; L. Thomas, PhD; J. Dollahite, PhD Objective: To develop effective electronic messages for parents to encourage changes that will support middle school children’s healthy food and drink choices at home and school. Design, Setting and Participants: Food and nutrition messages addressing parenting skills and core nutrition practices (fruit, vegetable, low-fat dairy, sweetened beverage intake) were developed following formative focus groups (n¼7) with mixed income parents (n¼46) of middle school students in urban and rural settings. Complemen- tary parenting strategies for use in the home were also developed. Researchers conducted additional interviews (n¼17) to rank messages in order of preference and rele- vance, and to select strategies based on feasibility. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Message ranking and strategy selections were analyzed for frequency, and field notes and transcripts were reviewed to understand parent choices and edit content based on participant sug- gestions. Results: Top vegetable and fruit messages promoted vari- ety and recognized the importance of role modeling – themes also evident in popular strategies. Top drink messages and strategies highlighted water as a preferred beverage. Also popular was pairing healthful eating and supportive parenting efforts, for example messages pro- moting family meals and healthy food in the home. Par- ents selected strategies that engaged children in food selection and preparation and that incorporated healthful foods at snack- and meal times. Conclusions and Implications: Parents preferred sim- ple, direct messages and strategies that reinforced and sup- ported parenting roles. Data help fill an important gap in the literature and will be used in an upcoming pilot; par- ents of middle-school students will receive electronic mes- sages and select strategies to try with their families. Funding: USDA. P71 Maternal Perception of Weight and Child Actual Weight Across Time Taren Swindle, PhD, MS, tswindle@uams.edu, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 521 Jack Stephens Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205; J. Rutledge, PhD, Louisiana Tech University; L. Shriver, PhD, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; L. Hubbs-Tait, PhD, Oklahoma State University; G. Topham, PhD; A. Harrist, PhD P68 (continued) Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior  Volume 47, Number 4S, 2015 Poster Abstracts S37 Continued on page S38