Community Intervention to Improve Calcium Intake of Young Children: Model & Evaluation

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify a successful community-based model used to improve calcium consumption of children. The National Institute of Health report optimal intakes of calcium for children as 800 to 1200 mg/day. Data from the USDA Survey of Food Intake indicate that only one half of US children have calcium levels in their diet which meet the NIH recommendation. The disparity between recommended intake and actual intake of dietary calcium led to a joint nutrition marketing venture between businesses, educators and nutritionists in the Capital Region of New York State. This program was entitled “Calcium for Kids.” Participants were asked to plan activities which would either improve children's knowledge of the relationship between dietary calcium and health and/or increase the calcium content in the diets of children. The campaign enlisted the support of local television anchor personnel and political leaders. The community based model for “Calcium for Kids” will be described. In addition, the visual and performing arts component of this campaign which was integrated with the classroom educational experience will be presented. Since improved calcium intake was the goal of the campaign, an evaluation of dietary records from the children participating in “Calcium for Kids” before and after the campaign provided evaluation of the program's success. Results of this evaluation indicated improved dietary intake of calcium rich foods for all of the teachers and for greater than 50% of the children involved in the campaign.