GREENSBORO, N.C. -- According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about 1 in 8 preschoolers is obese in the United States. In North Carolina, the problem is even worse. Three out of every 10 low-income kids, ages 2 to 4, are either overweight or obese.
But some Triad preschools are trying to get ahead of the obesity epidemic. They're tackling obesity starting with toddlers.
“We planted cucumbers, so we had cucumbers for a snack. We planted squash, so they actually ate squash,” said Monica Moore, Childcare Administrator at the Hayes-Taylor YMCA in Greensboro.
The Hayes Taylor YMCA Childcare Program is the latest Triad preschool swapping out school snacks.
“The difference in them knowing that they actually planted something that they're actually going to be eating has a big impact on them,” said Moore.
The Hayes-Taylor YMCA is the newest expansion site for SHAPE NC. It’s a statewide program helping preschools tackle childhood obesity.
“We know that children spend so much time here, in the early childhood setting, in childcare, that there's such an opportunity to focus on physical activity, on movement and nutrition,” said Tricia Nelson, Provider Specialist with Guiding Healthy Behaviors in Early Childhood, Guilford County Partnership for Children.
The Guilford County Partnership for Children administers the SHAPE NC grant to early childhood programs in Guilford County.
“Habits are formed very early,” said Nelson.
The SHAPE NC program started in 2011, as a $6 million grant to be used for gardens, trike trails and outdoor learning environments at preschools across North Carolina.
“The gardens are, we think, a really early introduction for children to understand where real foods come from, and it's not necessarily the local fast food restaurant or from a chip bag or a soda can,” said Sandy Johnson, Director of the Friendly Avenue Christian Preschool.
Friendly Avenue Christian Preschool has been with the program since its inception in 2011.
“We've seen changes in our menus. We've seen changes in the behaviors of the children and the interest and the energy of the children as well,” said Johnson.
The program’s been so successful, they’re now a model for other preschools across North Carolina.
“By being a model, we're actually helping hundreds of children, if not thousands of children across the state,” said Johnson.
And the numbers back it up.
Since 2011, the number of kids in SHAPE NC preschools, staying physically active for 90 minutes or more each day, rose from 51 to 85 percent. And the number of kids eating fruit two or more times per day rose from 34 to 80 percent.
Trends also show the percent of kids who reach a healthy weight gradually improving.
“Not only are we just interested in preparing them for their kindergarten experience, but we really feel like with the influence of SHAPE NC, we're learning how to equip them for life,” said Johnson.
Johnson said in October, North Carolina’s approach to tackling childhood obesity will be in the national spotlight. Friendly Avenue Christian Preschool will represent SHAPE NC preschools at a national public health conference in Denver, Colorado.
In the meantime, the kids’ healthy choices see to be rubbing off.
“If they go to the store, they'll be able to say, 'mommy, we had this at school. Can we try this at home?'” said Moore.
Johnson said families often request recipes for ways to use the fresh fruits and vegetables the kids harvest at preschool.
“Some of the families have started gardens for the first time ever, even if it’s as small as starting a tomato plan in a pot, we feel like that's a huge success for the family,” said Johnson.
If you're interested in enrolling your child in a preschool program affiliated with SHAPE NC, you can find the full list of participating programs in the Triad below.
For more information about SHAPE NC, you can visit the program’s website.
ALAMANCE
· Excel Christian Academy, 2322 River Rd, Burlington, NC 27217-8359
· Childcare Network #78, 827 S Sellars Mill Road, Burlington NC 27217
· The Growing Years, 3804 Bonnar Bridge Parkway,Burlington NC 27215
· Angel Garden, 2456 Altamahaw Union Ridge Rd, Burlington NC27217
· Kidz-N-Progress, 202 Giles St. Mebane, NC 27302
· Lifespan/Alamance Development Center, 919 Stokes St. Burlington, NC 27215
· Hawfields, 2115 S. NC Hwy 119 Mebane, NC 27302
RANDOLPH
· The Growing Place Child Care Center-First Baptist Church, 133 N. Church St., Asheboro, North Carolina 27203
· Building Block for Tiny Tots, 1410-M North Fayetteville Street Asheboro NC 27203
· FirstChurch of God Day School, 7009 Weant Roaf Archdale NC 27263
· Precious Memories Preschool, 309 East Salisbury Street Asheboro NC 27203
· Shepherd's Way Day School, 1346 Old Cox Road Asheboro NC 27203
· The Children's Center of Asheboro, 1267 East Salisbury Street Asheboro NC 27203
· Cloverdale Child Care Ministries, 2502 Surrett Dr, Archdale NC 27263
· First Steps Early Learning Center, 2511 S Fayteville St, Asheboro NC 27205
· It's a Kid's World, 4701 Island Ford Rd, Randleman NC 27317
· Level Cross Elementary School Pre-K, 5417 Old Greensboro Rd, Randleman, NC 27317
· Randleman Enrichment Center, 611 S Main St, Randleman NC 27317
· Trindale Elementary Pre-K Classes, 400 Balfour Dr., Archdale, NC 27263
· Kids-R-Us, PO Box 1609, Liberty, NC 27298 (304 W Swannanoa Ave.)
· Early Childhood Development Center, 1738 Fayetteville Street, Asheboro NC 27203
· Trindale Children's Center, 13089 Trinity Rd, Trinity NC 27370
· Teddy Bear Child Care Center, 1552 N Fayetteville St, Asheboro NC 27203
· Southmont Elementary Pre-K, 2497 Southmont Dr, Asheboro NC 27205
GUILFORD
· Friendly Ave Christian Preschool, 4800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410
· KinderNoggin, 2206 Eastchester Dr High Point NC 27265
· Shepherd's Way- Colfax, 1575 John Knox Drive Colfax NC 27235
· Our Children's House, 1105 Magnolia Street Greensboro
· Piedmont Global Preschool, 3907 W. Market St. Suite B Greensboro, NC 27407
· His Glory Child Development Center, Inc., 3223 Yanceyville Street Greensboro, NC 27405
· Loving Arms Childcare, 3801 Sunnycrest Ave. Greensboro, NC 27405
· Children's House Intergenerational Center, 600 Gorrell St. Greensboro, NC 27406 (physical address) 900 E. Washington St. Greensboro, NC 27406 (mailing)
· Hester's Creative School, 1806 W. Vandalia Rd., Greensboro, NC 27407
· Hayes-Taylor YMCA, 2630 E Florida St, Greensboro, NC 27401
· In His Care, 4507 Eagle Rock Road, Greensboro, NC 27410
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