Nutrition education aimed at toddlers: a pilot program for rural, low-income families.
Childhood obesity is a major health problem. Effective strategies are necessary to promote healthy eating in toddlers. The Nutrition Education Aimed at Toddlers project examined rural, low-income caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, mealtime practices, and dietary intake before and after a nutrition program. A convenience sample of 38 families participated in the study; 19 attended classes, and 19 did not. Six months after the lessons, no significant differences were found between groups; however, the resultant dietary, feeding knowledge, attitudinal, and behavioral data provide a valuable description regarding a hard to reach, high-risk population. However, caregivers' perceptions about feeding their toddlers differed from their reported dietary intakes of dairy, fruits, and vegetables. It appears that knowledge is insufficient to change eating habits. Identification of the issues that prevent caregivers in providing proper feeding is needed for a lasting change of eating habits.
Horodynski
Mildred A Omar
MA
Department of Nursing, Michigan State University College of Nursing, A-230 Life Sciences Building, , East Lansing. MI 48824-1317, USA. millie@msu.edu
Hoerr
Sharon
S
Coleman
Gayle
G
D000328:Adult; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires