Kids Food Reboot: A Campaign to Reboot What Kids Eat Using Social Media

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign that help children try a variety of healthy foods beyond “kids food.”Target AudienceChildren aged 4-17 years.Theory, Prior Research, RationaleResearch has shown children are willing to try new foods in a supportive environment. The ubiquitous nature of “kids food” (e.g., macaroni and cheese, pizza etc.) limits the variety and nutrients that children are exposed to and consume while establishing preferences for unhealthy foods that can continue into adulthood. Families, restaurants, and communities can be part of the supportive environment to help expose children to more variety foods and model positive food behaviors.DescriptionThe campaign provides tools, strategies, family recipes and a growing list of participating restaurants to help expose children to a wider variety of ingredients and cuisines at home and away.EvaluationThe “First Bite Challenge”, a fun challenge that transforms a child's dreaded first bite of a new, healthful food, was adopted as the evaluation tool. The First Bite Challenge was piloted with 12 middle school students in Granville, Washington, after their cooking lessons of healthy family meals.Conclusions and ImplicationsApproximately 83% of the students were enthusiastic about their first bite of unfamiliar recipe of healthy family meals. Approximately 17% were less enthusiastic but still tried the foods. Thus Kids Food Reboot may have positive influence on kids to try new foods under a supportive environment.FundingNone. ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign that help children try a variety of healthy foods beyond “kids food.” To evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign that help children try a variety of healthy foods beyond “kids food.” Target AudienceChildren aged 4-17 years. Children aged 4-17 years. Theory, Prior Research, RationaleResearch has shown children are willing to try new foods in a supportive environment. The ubiquitous nature of “kids food” (e.g., macaroni and cheese, pizza etc.) limits the variety and nutrients that children are exposed to and consume while establishing preferences for unhealthy foods that can continue into adulthood. Families, restaurants, and communities can be part of the supportive environment to help expose children to more variety foods and model positive food behaviors. Research has shown children are willing to try new foods in a supportive environment. The ubiquitous nature of “kids food” (e.g., macaroni and cheese, pizza etc.) limits the variety and nutrients that children are exposed to and consume while establishing preferences for unhealthy foods that can continue into adulthood. Families, restaurants, and communities can be part of the supportive environment to help expose children to more variety foods and model positive food behaviors. DescriptionThe campaign provides tools, strategies, family recipes and a growing list of participating restaurants to help expose children to a wider variety of ingredients and cuisines at home and away. The campaign provides tools, strategies, family recipes and a growing list of participating restaurants to help expose children to a wider variety of ingredients and cuisines at home and away. EvaluationThe “First Bite Challenge”, a fun challenge that transforms a child's dreaded first bite of a new, healthful food, was adopted as the evaluation tool. The First Bite Challenge was piloted with 12 middle school students in Granville, Washington, after their cooking lessons of healthy family meals. The “First Bite Challenge”, a fun challenge that transforms a child's dreaded first bite of a new, healthful food, was adopted as the evaluation tool. The First Bite Challenge was piloted with 12 middle school students in Granville, Washington, after their cooking lessons of healthy family meals. Conclusions and ImplicationsApproximately 83% of the students were enthusiastic about their first bite of unfamiliar recipe of healthy family meals. Approximately 17% were less enthusiastic but still tried the foods. Thus Kids Food Reboot may have positive influence on kids to try new foods under a supportive environment. Approximately 83% of the students were enthusiastic about their first bite of unfamiliar recipe of healthy family meals. Approximately 17% were less enthusiastic but still tried the foods. Thus Kids Food Reboot may have positive influence on kids to try new foods under a supportive environment.