The results of an intervention comparison research study indicated that preschoolers can have an influence on their families’ food selection and physical activity habits. Intervention families participated in an educational program focused on healthy eating and physical activity. Following the intervention, in-depth interviews were conducted with intervention and comparison families. Intervention families reported higher consumption of healthy snacks and buying fruits and vegetables based on preschooler requests. Families in the intervention group had a more positive concept about health and stated that ideas from the educational program had helped them overcome barriers to healthy eating and being active.

Byington, T. A., Lindsay, A. R., Loesch-Griffin, D., Brumett, S., & Sigman-Grant, M. 2013, Influencing Head Start families thoughts and beliefs about health, nutrition, and physical activity., National Head Start Association, NHSA Dialog, 16(3), 160-164

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Extension Associated Contacts

Anne R. Lindsay

Also of Interest:


Money Sense for Your Children - The Spending Plan This fact sheet is lesson 4 of the Money Sense for Your Children and will explore money management and how to create a spending plan by understanding the needs and wants of children. Koehler, C., Crites, A., Behal, P., and Horton, S. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-96
Money Sense for Your Children - Saving and Sharing This fact sheet is lesson 3 of The Money Sense for Your Children series which explores how children can save and share their money. Koehler, C., Crites, A., Behal, P., and Horton, S. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-95
Snack & Mealtime Routines A regular routine of meals and snacks helps discourage eating all day, and preschoolers like it because they know what to expect. Lindsay, A., & Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-103
Preschoolers Build Fundamental Motor Skills Critical to an Active Lifestyle: The All 4 Kids© Intervention Study This pragmatic, real world study examined the effects of the All 4 Kids© intervention on preschoolers’ mastery of movement skills and determined whether the instruction had greater impact than natural development. Anne R. Lindsay 1,*, Angela Starrett 2 , Ali Brian 3 , Teresa A. Byington 1, Jennifer Lucas 4 and Madeleine Sigman-Grant 2020, International Journal of Enviornmental Research and Public Health
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

Associated Programs

Kids and teacher dancing with colored scarves in a classroom

All 4 Kids Program

Extension's All 4 Kids Program and its annual 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.

Kids and leader dancing with colored scarves in a classroom

Healthy Kids Resource Center

A one-stop shop for evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention for teachers and parents of young children. It is designed to educate parents and teachers as well as provide the tools needed to teach young children how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Influencing Head Start families thoughts and beliefs about health, nutrition, and physical activity.

Published by: Byington, T. A., Lindsay, A. R., Loesch-Griffin, D., Brumett, S., & Sigman-Grant, M., 2013, Influencing Head Start families thoughts and beliefs about health, nutrition, and physical activity., National Head Start Association, NHSA Dialog, 16(3), 160-164