Head Start Participation and Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem that also has economic consequences. Medical research suggests that nutritional interventions at a young age can influence nutritional behavior and reduce childhood obesity. This paper estimates the impact of one such intervention - Head Start - on childhood overweight and obesity. While Head Start is more commonly known as an educational intervention, a large part of the program includes nutrition services and nutritional education to parents and children. For black children, Head Start participation is shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of being overweight or obese.