Empowering young cooks for healthy lives: An after-school club

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem reaching epidemic proportions, tripling in the last thirty years. Its link to the rise in type-2 diabetes in children is alarming. An unhealthy diet and inadequate physical activity (PA) are the two main contributors. Parents/caregivers are instrumental in shaping healthy lifestyle habits in their children; and play a vital role in mitigating this problem. To best inform program development, graduate students conducted a needs assessment with school administrators, staff, and students at King Middle School’s—Creative After School Programs for Success (CAPS) in San Bernardino, CA. Data were collected through windshield surveys, observations, literature reviews, 8 theory-based key informant interviews, and a confirmatory focus groups. Data were coded, themed and analyzed using Grounded Theory methods. Results indicated that although students receive PA, snacks, and supper through the after-school program, parents/ guardians have an equally strong role in the nutritional value of meals at home. Staff voiced the need for a long-term and aggressive intervention for addressing this ever-increasing problem. Interviewees identified the struggles of low-income families to afford and access healthier produce, while processed foods and fast foods are more economical on smaller budgets. They expressed interest in a health education club with interactive activities on topics such as nutrition, healthy cooking, and healthy choices. A pilot program, including a club, was developed and implemented for CAPS with the assistance of program staff, incorporating components of cultural recipes, gardening, and solar cooking; using process and impact evaluation for program improvement and sustainability.