Examining the impact of family newsletters on the breakfast consumption habits of preschool children and families

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. The negative consequences of childhood obesity have been well documented, and research has been conducted on the prevention, intervention, and treatment of this health issue. Eating breakfast is one indicator that has been associated with improved nutrition and protection against obesity. The current study sought to examine breakfast consumption among preschoolers and to evaluate the effectiveness of family newsletters in promoting eating a healthy breakfast. Before and after receiving newsletters about breakfast consumption, 36 families of preschool children completed pre- and post-surveys about breakfast frequency and quality. Data was analyzed to assess changes in breakfast consumption for the experimental group. The results indicated that just reading the newsletters did not have a significant effect on breakfast frequency or quality for preschool children and families. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.