Nutrition program helps child care center create healthier menus, teaches children good eating habits

In 2007, nearly one in four (23.5 %) low-income children ages 2 to 4 seen in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and child health clinics in Durham County were obese—this is significantly higher than the state average of 15.3 percent. What's more, Durham County is ranked second to last in the state for this measure.

Durham's Partnership for Children is working to tackle childhood obesity by investing in programs like Child Care Nutrition Consultation Project, a program delivered through the Durham County Health Department.

The program has impacted hundreds of children in child care facilities across Durham County this year. With consultation from a certified nutritionist, child care programs like Tutor Time have revamped their menus with healthier substitutions for children, incorporated healthy eating  into their curriculum, and provided nutrition information and healthy eating tips to parents. Also, a nutritionist has been available to provide consultation for parents who have issues with their children's eating habits and health.

Marie Milliren, project coordinator of the consultation project, said with proper planning, child care centers can incorporate healthier variety of foods into their menus, such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Olay Murphy, director of Tutor Time, thought the modifications to her center's menu would come with a higher price tag. "At first, I had the misconception that fresh foods and whole grain items cost more, but with planning and learning which fruits and vegetables were in season, we maintained the same food budget."

With resources offered through the program, Olay was able to add books about healthy eating into the center's classrooms and teach children healthy eating habits, for example which foods help them build strong muscles and which snack foods are only meant to be eaten occassionally.

Olay also offered parents nutritional information in newsletters with healthy recipies. "The program has really impacted our center," she says. "Our children love the new menu and we utilize lunch and snack times to learn about new healthy foods."