Childhood Obesity and Nutrition

Asha DeviCognitive Development Professor StrianoDecember 12, 2012

Childhood ObesityBecoming an increasingly common problem in the U.S.

and around the world.

Can lead to health complications in children (diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, blood pressure, etc.)

Can also lead to poor academic performance (Gable, Krull, & Chang, 2012).

Possible causes: poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, cultural influences, and/or parental upbringing.

A Possible Solution…

Focus on nutrition, and design a cooking classroom for kids.

Studies show that if children are introduced to healthy food choices at an early age, they are more inclined to familiarize themselves with new foods and make a habit to eat them (Matheson, Spranger, & Sax, 2002).

Higher levels of education are associated with individuals who have a lower BMI (Johnson et al. 2012).

Goals of Cooking Classroom…

The main goals of this cooking classroom are to:promote healthy eating habitsteach children how to cookfollow simple step by step directionsuse primary math concepts (measuring)socialize with peersteach table mannerslearn personal responsibilities

Features of ClassroomThis classroom will take on the appearance of

a kitchen play set. It will have working appliances so that children are able to work with real food instead of plastic food. This makes play and learning more realistic.

Features of Classroom (cont.)

The classroom will contain:Miniature sinkMiniature refrigerator CupboardsIpad holder (to use with cooking app)Toddler-size tables and chairsKid-friendly cups, plates and utensils

Kid-friendly recipesExamples of healthy recipes that kids can

make in class:

SandwichesFruit saladFrozen yogurt sundaeFruit smoothiePizza Veggie dippers

Why is it a good idea?Having a realistic setting allows children to

learn and experience good nutrition, rather than just being taught by parents.

Kids feel a sense of independence.

According to developmental theory, children learn from their experiences (Matheson, Spranger, & Sax 2002).

Children prefer to eat foods which they observed other children eating with a positive expression on their face as opposed to an adult eating with a positive expression (Frazier et al. 2012).

Why is it a good idea? (cont.)Picky eaters can be more open to try new

foods when they see peers eating a particular food.

“Peers seated at the same table during preschool meals can shift the food preferences of a target child away from a previously preferred food, and can influence target children to try new foods” (Birch, 1980).

Other notes:The cooking classroom would still be

supervised by an adult/instructor .Recipes used in class would require minimal

use of the oven and stove to ensure child safety.

Children with special needs can be accommodated for.

A fixed Ipad can be used for recipe apps/timer.

ReferencesFrazier, B. N., Gelman, S. A., Kaciroti, N., Russell, J. W., & Lumeng, J. C. (2012). I'll have what she’s having: The impact of model characteristics on children's food choices. Developmental Science, 15(1), 87-98.

Gable, S., Krull, J. L., & Chang, Y. (2012). Boys and girls weight status and math performance from kindergarten entry through fifth grade: A mediated analysis. Child Development, 83(5), 1822-1839.

Johnson, W., Kyvik, K. O., Skytthe, A., Deary, I. J., & Sorensen, T. A. (2011). Education modifies genetic and environmental influences on BMI. PLoS ONE, 6(1). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016290

Matheson, D., Spranger, K., & Saxe, A. (2002). Preschool children's perceptions of food and their food experience. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 34, 85- 92.