Accessing Nutritious Food in Boone County

In order to address community concerns over childhood obesity, Boone County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension taught the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Pre-schoolers (LEAP) program to 570 pre-school children in local daycare centers. The curriculum focused on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables through experiencing new foods, listening to a story, and participating in a hands-on activity. As a result of this program, 100% tried a new fruit or vegetable, 73% of the children could name at least one health benefit of eating fruits and vegetables and 100% of the children participated in physical activity. Daycare employees and teachers commented that because of LEAP, the children were more likely to eat vegetables during lunch now and to try new fruits and vegetables than prior to LEAP.

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