The prevalence of childhood obesity has dramatically increased nationwide. Specifically, 14 percent of Nevadan children less than 5 years of age are overweight. The underlying causes range from genetic propensity to socio-economic, cultural and environmental influences resulting in unhealthful eating and physical activity practices. A person’s relationship with food and physical activity begins in infancy and is molded during childhood. All 4 Kids and its Healthy Kids Festival use activities, music, dance and food to teach kids and their families in Clark and Lincoln Counties nutrition, physical activity and self-acceptance.

All 4 Kids is an interdisciplinary approach to addressing child obesity. Developed by Extension faculty from maternal/child nutrition, exercise physiology and child development, the All 4 Kids program helps children meet the Nevada Pre-K Standards while encouraging preschool children and families to practice healthy eating habits and be active every day.

The child component of All 4 Kids consists of 21 (19 in the community setting), 30-minute preschool lessons, taught three times a week for eight weeks by Extension staff. Each lesson uses dance to introduce children to the specific movements outlined in the Nevada Pre-K Standards in addition to a nutrition concept. 

Since young children are dependent on their families to provide their meals and movement opportunities, the program encourages families to build healthy habits together. Using pre-existing materials, such as locally written and recorded music and dance for children and their parents and SNAP-ED developed books "Tummy Talks" and "TV Moves Me," the program integrates nutrition and physical activity education into a fun, developmentally appropriate curriculum. 

Each week of the program children receive an All 4 Kids Family Pack containing a nutrition activity for the family to complete together. In addition to the family packs, parents and caregivers are invited to attend a monthly family event. Each event has interactive games and a food demonstration for families to try new foods and movement games together. Each family event concludes with children performing the All 4 Kids dances they learned in the preschool lessons. Together families and children learn to be healthy, happy, active and fit.

 
News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...
Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs
This factsheet explains inclusion in early childhood and programs that can have benefits.
Byington, T. 2010, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-67
Preschoolers can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods: The All 4 Kids Study
This study determined changes in preschoolers' ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods and stated food preferences after participation in a nutrition education program.
Sigman-Grant, M., Byington, T., Lindsay, A., Lu, M., Mobley, A., Fitzgerald, N. & Hildebrand, D. 2013, Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 03/2014, Volume 46, Issue 2
Recognizing Developmental Delays in Young Children
This factsheet explain developmental delays in young children, concerns, and ways to recognize them.
Byington, T. 2010, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-66
Teacher and family connections curriculum: A supplement to the All 4 Kids: Healthy, Happy, Active, Fit obesity prevention program. Sigman-Grant, M, Van Brackel, A., Byington, T. and Lindsay, A. 2013, UNCE Publication CM-13-01

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Learn more about the program's team

Annie Lindsay
Program Leader & Contact