Implementing and Evaluating a Nutrition Education Program with Preschool ChildrenTaylor Kemery BSN, RN

Project Chairs: Margaret Quinn DNP, CPNP, CNE & Diane Brienza- Arcilla DNP, RN

Week1:Cauliflower

Week2:Spinach

Week3:Squash

Week4:Kale

Week5:Carrot

Week6:Broccoli

- Currentlyover41millionpreschoolchildrenareconsideredobese

- Itisprojectedby2025thenumberofobesechildrenaged0-5yearsoldwillincreaseto70million

- Handsonnutritioneducationandprovidingvegetablesnacksonacontinualbasis, forpreschoolchildrenisshowntodirectlyinfluencetheirdailyeatinghabits

- TheNewJerseyDepartmentofEducationPreschoolGuidelinesdoesnotspecifythata nutritionaleducationcurriculumneedstobeimplementedinapreschoolclassroom

Background/Problem

Methodology- Design:EducationalPilotIntervention- Setting:PreschoolclassroominBerlin,NJ

- SampleSize:6children;5malesand1female

- Intervention:Weekly1hourmeetingsover6weeksusingthe“Veggiecation”Program

Curriculum Eachweekincluded:

- Educationalposterlesson- Positive reactionsprogressedthrougheachweek

- Ageappropriatecoloring page- Interactiverecipewith tasting

- Thechildrenenjoyedparticipatinginpreparationofthevegetablesample

- Stickerforparticipation- The childrenweregiventhesticker for participation,notfortryingthevegetablesample

Implications for Practice

- Interactiveeducationalprogramsregardingvegetablescanhaveapositiveimpactontheknowledgeandawarenessofvegetablesinpreschoolchildren

- PediatricNursePractitionerscanusethisinformationwhengivinganticipatoryguidanceregardingnutritionandeducatelocalpreschoolsonthebenefitsofthistypeofprogram

- Interactivevegetablerecipescanbegiven forthefamilytoenjoyduringwellvisits

Outcomes

Vegetableconsumption

- Determinedbythreechildreneatingthe

vegetablesampleonWeek1tofivechildreneatingthevegetablesampleonWeek

6

Knowledgeofvegetables

- Determinedattheendoftheprogramby6out

ofthe6childrenreportingthatvegetablesarehealthyfortheirbody&4outofthe6childrenreportingwantingtoeatmorevegetablesathome