The eating patterns of many children are not only nutritionally deficient, but may also be a key factor in the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in the U.S. Certain individual, demographic, and societal factors for early unhealthy eating have been identified. Understanding the normative beliefs, personal motivations, and prevention recommendations for poor diets among younger children is also crucial in program development. Our goal was to obtain information that will enable educators, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and others to develop and advocate for more-effective nutrition programs.
Data were collected in April 2005 from 959 children at eight health education centers in five states. Classes, grades 4-8, visiting centers during data collection, were eligible to participate. Trained center staff read each question and answer choice as they simultaneously appeared on a large screen. Participating students indicated their choices by pressing corresponding letters on handheld, electronic keypads. All respondents remained anonymous.
Questions were developed by a project advisory team consisting of center staff, school administrators and teachers, a child psychologist, a pediatrician, university researchers, parents, and health educators. The survey was revised after pilot testing with two classes at a one center.
School-level data (i.e., school size, ethnic/racial proportion, free/reduced lunch participation) for public schools participating were obtained from the National Center for Educational Statistics. Total demographic data for this study mirrored national averages.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the primary individual, familial, peer, and community risk factors for early unhealthy diets 2. Based on the results of this study, identify children's opinions regarding the: food tastes, motivations to eat, information sources, and prevention recommendations for healthy versus unhealthy diets 3. Identify implications of the results of the study for curriculum development/planning for nutrition programs for children grades 4-8