Childhood Program Outcomes

Regie’s Rainbow Adventure® (RRA) is a seven-week program intended for children aged 2-5 years old. RRA follows the adventures of Regie, a broccoli superhero, and his adventures to seven different islands that correspond with the color of the rainbow. At each island, he learns about fruits and vegetables that correspond with that island’s color, and earns his power stripes for trying a new fruit or vegetable. NKFM staff train classroom educators on the implementation of the program.

The following data was gathered as part of The Michigan Fitness Foundation, Kregse Foundation, and Gerber grants: For the 2020-2021 program year the RRA program was implemented virtually at 74 early childhood education sites, training 706 childcare workers who provided the program to 3,466 children and their parents. Outcomes were measured by parent and teacher surveys. The surveys were disseminated and completed at the conclusion of the seven week intervention.

Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities™ (HSHC™) is a program developed by the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) for children in preschool through 5^th grade. HSHC™ aligns with SNAP-Ed messaging to empower students, educators, and families to eat better and move more where they learn, eat, play, and work. The program incorporates a planned curriculum, food samplings, structured physical activity, and books.

The following data was gathered as part of the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) grant:

During the 2018-2019* programming year, HSHC™ was implemented in 4 early childhood classrooms throughout Wayne County. A total of 68 children were served through the program. Program outcomes were measured by parent surveys. The surveys were disseminated and completed at the conclusion of the six lesson program.

Parent Survey Results

Childhood Lifestyle Changes

• • 93% of parents reported that their child is eating more fruit
  • 85% of parents reported their child is eating more vegetables

*Insufficient data was collected for the FY20 and FY21 programming years due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) program is an innovative early childhood program to help combat obesity.  NAP SACC consists of a pre-assessment and a post-assessment in which childcare providers or site directors answer questions about current nutrition and physical activity practices.  After the pre-assessment, they create three goals to work on in order to improve their nutritional and physical activity components.  Educational materials are provided in order to make environmental changes.  After implementing these changes, care providers complete the post-assessment in order to report the results of the implemented changes.

During the 2020-2021 program year, 69 centers completed both the pre- and post-assessments and served 3,011 children and their families.  When compared to a control group, intervention centers have been found to be more likely to make significant changes in nutrition policies, environments and practices and some positive changes in physical activity policies, environments and practices.

Reported changes included caregivers offering more fruits and vegetables to children throughout the week, making drinking water more accessible outside, and caregivers modeling positive health behaviors, such as trying new foods at lunch. Participants enjoyed “setting goals and implementing the changes” and “having resources to offer parents.” Participants noted that time and consistency were key-it took time to develop goals and initiate changes, and it was important to be consistent with those changes every day.

PE-Nut™ (Physical Activity and Nutrition) is a program for children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. PE-Nut™ provides nutrition and physical education to children in the school setting in order to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables among children.  PE-Nut™ also engages children in physical activity in order to educate them about the importance of moving their bodies and being physically active.

The following data was gathered as part of the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) grant:

During the 2018-2019* programming year, the PE-Nut program was implemented at 18 schools throughout Wayne County.  A total of 7,552 children were served through the program.  At the end of the programming timeframe, the evaluation tools, “That’s Me My Choices” and a parent survey, were implemented among a sample size of children and their parents who received the six PE-Nut lessons.

That’s Me My Choices Results

• 46% of children stated that they ate healthy foods after the program
• 83% of children reported that they tried new foods that they had never tasted before
• 51% said they ate many different kinds of food
• 43% reported that they asked someone at home to buy healthy foods

Parent Survey Results

• 71% of parents reported that since their son/daughter has participated in the PE-Nut program at school, their child is trying new foods.
• 70% of parents reported that since their son/daughter has participated in the PE-Nut program at school, their child is doing more physical activity.
• 62% of parents reported that since their son/daughter has participated in the PE-Nut program at school, their child is eating more fruit.

*Insufficient data was collected for the FY20 and FY21 programming years due to the Coronavirus pandemic.