Learning Objective #1: 1.The learner will be able to improve knowledge about preschool development, diet, and exercise.

Learning Objective #2: 2.The learner will be able to acknowledge the importance of preventing overweight in preschool children through family and school interventions provided by PNP students .

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Nationwide, 10% of preschool children are overweight. Overweight is a gradual process that begins early in life. Decisions regarding diet and activity are made by the parent, who may lack an understanding of how child development influences their child's eating and level of physical activity.

Goals of this service-learning project: 1.Improve parents' understanding of developmental influences on child eating and activity patterns. 2.Introduce preschool children to the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. 3.Provide PNP students the opportunities to educate diverse groups of parents and children.

Population: This service-learning project took place in one Head Start school that has enrolled 63 multicultural students.

Program: During a parent night, PNP students presented lessons on: reading food labels, meal planning, portion and serving sizes for preschool children, physical activity, and preschool behavior.

During 5 sessions in spring, the PNP students and children engaged in activities on healthy eating and physical activity. Parents received written information on the classroom activities, recipes and family activities.

Evaluation: Only a small number of parents (N=5) attended the classes, however all agreed they were valuable. A follow up survey indicated that parents preferred the opportunity to ask questions and receive information through individual consultation not classes. Small incentives were received enthusiastically, while non-parent students were made unwelcome.

PNP students (N = 10) stated that they learned to be flexible to meet parents' needs and teaching busy parents required interactive, practical teaching strategies that related directly to better family nutrition and activity choices.

Implications: PNP students benefit from opportunities to educate parents from varied backgrounds and developing an appreciation for the role of primary care practitioners in the community. By meeting parents' needs for health information on nutrition and physical activity for themselves, improvements will occur in child nutrition and physical activity habits.