Healthy Kids at Pace Head Start - LA Region Champions for Change Network for a Healthy CA Mini-Grant

2013

The target population is children 3-5 years old who participate in PACE Head Start in Los Angeles County. Our program will target children participating in PACE Head Start by training PACE Head Start educators, children and their families. The goal of the proposed project is to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, increase physical activity and promote healthy beverage consumption among children enrolled at five PACE Head Start sites with four nutrition education classes conducted monthly at each site over the project period. Conduct a train-the-trainer workshop with educational staff to implement the nutrition education classes; topics will include food preparation and taste test demos. Goal: Improve the nutritional status of children (3-5 years) who participate in PACE Head Start. Recruitment Process Objective: In partnership with PACE Head Start, the program will recruit at least 250 children to complete the program. Our PACE Head Start collaboration will enable us to successfully reach low-income families and children in Los Angeles County. We chose a recruitment goal of 250 based on participant numbers of previous nutrition education interventions, in addition to feasibility during the project period. Fruit Juice Consumption Behavioral Objective: By June 30, 2012, reduce the number of participants who consume more than 6 ounces of fruit juice (including 100% fruit juice) per day by 10%. Studies suggest that approximately 48% of preschool children drink more than 6 ounces of fruit juice each day, and that 33% of preschool children receive most of their fruit servings from juice. Research shows that reducing the consumption of fruit juice in preschool aged children to less than 6 ounces has a positive effect on their nutritional status. The program will reduce the fruit juice intake of preschoolers, with the ultimate goal of increasing the amount of whole fruit preschoolers consume. In the program, children will participate in activities that introduce various whole fruits and alternative non-caloric, unsweetened beverages. Vegetable Consumption Behavioral Objective: By June 30, 2012, increase the number of participating children with increased intake of vegetables by 10%. Increased vegetable consumption in children has been linked to decreased risk of diet-related and other chronic illnesses later in life. Studies have also shown that increasing vegetable intake can be an effective strategy for preventing obesity in children. Also, 80% of child care providers who utilized the ?Color Me Healthy? curriculum reported an improvement in children?s willingness to try new foods and in their recognition of vegetables. In this proposed program, children will participate in activities that introduce a variety of vegetables, with the ultimate goal to increase the amount of vegetables preschoolers will consume. Physical Activity Objective: By June 30, 2012, increase the number of minutes of physical activity by 10% among participating children. The National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommend that preschoolers participate in at least one hour of adult-led activity and at least 1 hour of free play daily with no more than 1 hour of inactivity except while sleeping. Research shows that only 56% of Head Start programs provide children with at least one hour per day of unstructured physical activities and at least 30 minutes per day of adult-led physical activities. Several studies have illustrated that increasing physical activity can decrease risk of obesity and improve BMI in children.

Head Start, Nutrition, Prevention, Health

Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban, Geographic Area - Other, Specific Groups, Other

Single-County

N/A