Preschoolers can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods: the all 4 kids study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine changes in preschoolers' ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods and stated food preferences after participation in a nutrition education program.


METHODS
Pre-post comparison/intervention study with sites clustered based on center size and language.


METHODS
Preschool classrooms.


METHODS
A total of 191 preschoolers from Nevada and 128 from Connecticut, New Jersey, and Oklahoma.


METHODS
All 4 Kids, a 24-lesson program taught by trained instructors.


METHODS
Pre- and post-assessment sum scores for identifying 18 foods; stated preference for, and distinguishing between, healthy vs unhealthy choice from 9 food pairs using a newly designed tool.


METHODS
t tests; multiple linear and logistic regression models.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant improvement in identification scores from pre- to post-study for both groups from Nevada (P < .001). For preference and distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy foods, no differences were noted at pretest. At posttest, significantly more intervention than comparison preschoolers indicated a preference for healthier foods (P < .006) and an ability to distinguish them (P < .03). Outcome comparison between Nevada and 3 states demonstrated generalizability of the study tool.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in All 4 Kids resulted in preschoolers' increased understanding of healthy foods and changed their stated food preferences.
Reno Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV. Electronic address: sigman-grantm@unce.unr.edu.
Madeleine
M
Sigman-Grant
Reno Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
Teresa A
TA
Byington
Reno Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
Anne R
AR
Lindsay
School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV.
Minggen
M
Lu
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Amy R
AR
Mobley
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ.
Nurgül
N
Fitzgerald
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Deana
D
Hildebrand
D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States
food preference; health; intervention; nutrition education; preschoolers