Early Childhood
Helping Children Form Healthy Habits that Last a Lifetime
Creating Healthy Environments for Children
Everyone who works with young children, including childcare center staff, family child care providers, early childhood teachers, and home visitors, all have a unique opportunity to promote healthy eating and physical activity for the youngsters and families they serve.
Overweight or obese preschool-age children have a five times greater chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. Obesity among DuPage County children aged 2 to 4 years enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program was 16.9% in 2018, higher than the national obesity rate for the same group, which was 14.4% in 2018. These statistics demonstrate the need for early and continued obesity intervention and prevention strategies.
Need help getting started or want more details on the next steps? Contact us! For early childhood, healthy lifestyle resources for families, view the section below.
Monthly Resources for Families
Early childhood is a critical time for obesity prevention since that is when children are developing taste preferences and copying the healthy and unhealthy behaviors of those around them. Below are some suggested monthly resources you and your family may find useful.