The LANA Learning About Nutrition through Activities program is aimed at helping preschool
children develop healthy eating habits and learn to taste, eat and enjoy more
fruits and vegetables. Studies show that people who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and obesity - and the best place to start developing healthy eating habits is during childhood.
LANA materials
LANA includes materials for childcare providers, preschool teachers, and parents, including curriculum materials, recipes, storybooks, parent newsletters - and Lana the Iguana puppet!
LANA sponsors
LANA is a component of Growing Health Kids in Dakota County, a county-wide effort to reduce childhood obesity. LANA is a partnership between the Dakota County Public Health Department, Child Care Licensing, and Libraries. The program is funded through a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Health and a grant from UCare Minnesota.
Research on the impact of LANA
- The LANA program was developed by the Minnesota Department of Health, the University of Minnesota and New Horizon Academy through a National Cancer Institute grant. Results from data collected in 2006–2007 on 508 children from 20 childcare centers:
- Increased consumption of targeted fruits and vegetables in the childcare setting.
- Increased servings of fruits and vegetables at home.
- Children were also significantly less likely to be picky eaters.
- During spring and summer 2009, the LANA program was piloted with 75 licensed home childcare providers in Dakota County who serve about 500 children. Follow-up surveys found that:
- 67% of children were more or much more likely to eat fruits and 78% were more likely to eat vegetables.
- 92% of children were more likely to try new foods.
- 76% of providers offered fruits and vegetables more often at snack time.