Getting Children Involved in Cooking: Results from a Preschool Nutrition Curriculum

BACKGROUND Between 1999-2016, the sharpest rise childhood obesity occurred in children aged 2-5 (NHANES). With 64% of U.S. children aged 3 to 5 years being cared for weekly in non-parental care arrangements, such as child care centers, family child care homes, pre-kindergarten, and Head Start classrooms, these programs are potentially prime venues for introducing ideas about healthy eating to children for parents to continue at home. This strategy is particularly vital given the worsening health indices of young children. METHODS “Doctor Yum’s Preschool Food Adventure,” is an interactive curriculum written by a pediatrician and Pediatric Feeding Specialist (SLP) designed to introduce preschoolers to simple culinary …