Addressing Children's Nutritional Needs with Community-Based Participatory Action Research

The absence of consistent, reliable, culturally appropriate access to nutritious food places children's development at risk. Nutrition education programming that is delivered using intergenerational strategies may help optimize children's access, consumption, and knowledge of healthy foods.

The purpose of this article is to present the development, implementation and lessons learned from the first year of Food for a Long Life (FFLL) programming-an intergenerational community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) project joining Extension staff, researchers, and community partners to increase families' knowledge, access, and consumption regarding healthy food in a food insecure community. Preschoolers, their family members, and older adults were recruited from two preschools and one adult day services center.

Collaborations with community stakeholders informed the development and implementation of intergenerational nutrition education delivered during FFLL programming. Preschoolers, families, and older adults participated in twenty-six nutrition education sessions during the programming year. Parents of preschoolers completed the Household Food Security Survey (HHFS) and the Healthy Kids measure. Semistructured interview data from staff were also collected upon the conclusion of programming.

Preschoolers and their families were found to have marginal food security but relatively healthy eating behaviors. Staff believed FFLL programming enhanced preschoolers' eating behaviors (e.g., increased willingness to try new foods). Continued collaborations with community partners were viewed as essential to program success.

Relationship-building among intergenerational community members, Extension staff, and university researchers strengthens trust and may expand the reach of FFLL programming and research components.