CHILDCARE OUTDOORS AS ACTIVE FOOD SYSTEM: EFFECTIVENESS OF POD GARDENING COMPONENT

Aim: Measure effectiveness of the Preventing Obesity by Design (POD) hands-on fruit and vegetable (FV) gardening component to increase physical activity, FV liking, knowledge, and consumption in vulnerable 4 & 5 year old children attending childcare. Promising integrated strategy with potential to reach to 76% approx. US population living in regions with a growing season >200 days/year, where 77% US regulated childcare centers are located with potential exposure to FV gardening.Supporting objectives: 1) Contribute scientific evidence to the currently under-researched area of hands-on FV gardening in childcare centers through a randomized, controlled trial at 15 childcare centers (300 preschoolers engaged in standardized gardening); 2) Engage community college instructors by adding gardening component to standardized educational modules used in early childhood education/other fields to highlight the impact of preschool FV gardening on physical activity and FV consumption as a long-term health promotion strategy; 3) Translate and disseminate research findings via eXtension, informing extension agents, parents (via EFNEP), educators, and others about the potential for increasing FV consumption for vulnerable preschoolers through FV gardening interventions at childcare centers.Partners: NC State University: Landscape Architecture; Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition; Youth, Family, and Community Sciences; Horticultural Sciences; Statistics. Wake Co. Smart Start. Cornell University: Design and Environmental Analysis.Project addresses AFRI generating new knowledge priority 'to develop and implement effective early care and education settings' as a critical factor for influencing new policies and regulations with the potential for reducing barriers to good health for millions of vulnerable children attending childcare.