Research in Brief

Eating Smart and Moving More for Head Start: A Pilot Study

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Abstract

Our study examined the relationship between improved personal health behaviors of Head Start teachers’ and the promotion of positive health behaviors in their classroom. Thirty-three Head Start teachers across 7 centers received six 30-minute nutrition education lessons. Dietary intake, physical activity, and self-efficacy for promoting positive health behaviors in the classroom were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Significant improvements were observed for dietary intake and physical activity. Self-efficacy for promoting health behaviors in the classroom did not significantly improve. Additional education is needed to improve health promotion practices. Lessons learned contributed to program refinement. Implications for Extension are discussed.

Keywords: Head Start, EFNEP, preschool, teachers, health behavior

How to Cite:

Stage, V. C., Goodell, L. S., Chase, S., McDonald, S., Hegde, A. V., Bayles, J. & Jones, L., (2021) “Eating Smart and Moving More for Head Start: A Pilot Study”, [TEST] Journal of Extension 59(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.59.01.05

Rights: In Copyright