Children as young as 6 are showing evidence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. To help counter this problem, Healthy People 2010 goals for children include reducing prevalence of overweight, decreasing television viewing, and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables (FV). States need cost-effective, replicable approaches to monitoring progress towards meeting these goals. CalCHEEPS, for children age 9-11, uses a market research method, combining a mail survey with telephone follow-up. This method eliminates the logistics and costs of collecting data through in-class or field-based surveys. CalCHEEPS, sponsored by The California Endowment and the USDA, identifies dietary and physical activity practices, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and exposure to nutrition messages. In the spring of 1999, a parent-assisted two-day diet and activity diary was collected by mail for 814 children, with a strong response rate of 41%. Almost 400 children responded to a follow-up survey assessing attitudes and knowledge. Children reported a mean of 3 daily servings of FV and showed little awareness of recommended FV consumption. Participation in school breakfast and lunch programs and taking part in nutrition lessons were positively associated with healthy eating practices. This may be one of the reasons that lower-income children came closer to meeting the FV goal than did upper-income children. Prevalence of overweight was twice the expected rate. Recommendations include vigorous promotion of healthy foods with children and maximizing the school setting as a venue for improved nutrition and physical activity. Use of the findings for establishing state dietary guidance policy for children will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) Describe a practical survey method for the nutrition monitoring of school-age children. 2) Recognize three or more factors that are associated with good and poor dietary and physical activity practices in California children. 3) Discuss public policy implications of diet and physical activity behaviors reported by school-age children
Keywords: Nutrition, Children's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: California Department of Health Services Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section; Public Health Institute
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.