County, City, and Community Agencies Support Childcare Centers and Parents in Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity Habits

Over a two-year period, the Wayne County Health Department, the Partnership for Children of Wayne County, and the City of Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department worked with several nonprofit groups to promote better nutrition and increased physical activity among preschoolers who attend 8 local childcare centers. Key program components included refurbishing a local park and offering group events there, training childcare center staff on healthy eating and exercise, and planting gardens at each center. The program led to broad improvements in nutrition and physical activity practices at the participating centers, and encouraged parents to provide greater support to their children in eating healthfully and increasing physical activity.