Child Nutrition and Health

Children jumping up

Find resources here to help guide development of nutrition knowledge and skills for children. Also check out:



MedlinePlus: Child Nutrition

DHHS. NIH. National Library of Medicine.

Find the latest news on child nutrition, general information and statistics, special topics including vegetarianism, special diets, snacking, eating for sports, and more...


MyPlate Icon MyPlate Health and Nutrition Information for Preschoolers

USDA. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Parents and caregivers of children 2 through 5 years of age can find information on helping preschoolers eat well, be healthy, and be active.


MyPlate for Children

USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Child-friendly health and nutrition information for children ages 6-11.


MedlinePlus: Exercise for Children

DHHS. NIH. National Library of Medicine.


Toddler Nutrition and Health Resource List (PDF | 139)

USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.

A collection of resources on toddler nutrition and health issues, including food allergies, picky eaters, oral health, and physical activity.


BAM! BAM! Body and Mind

DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Designed for kids 9-13 years old, BAM! gives them the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. The site uses kid-friendly lingo, games, quizzes, and other interactive features, and also serves as an aid to teachers, providing them with interactive, educational, and fun activities that are linked to the national education standards for science and health.


Kid walking and waving KidsHealth

Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media.

Extensive site providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence.


Mom and children shopping KidsHealth: Vegetarianism

Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.

Helps parents guide the nutritional habits of vegetarian children to ensure the adequacy of their diets.


America's Children in Brief: Key Indicators of Well-Being, 2012

Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics

This yearly report focuses on the well-being of children and families. Child well-being indicators span seven domains: Family & Social Environment, Economic Circumstances, Health Care, Physical Environment & Safety, Behavior, Education, and Health.


Child Nutrition Agencies by State

USDA. NAL. Healthy Meals Resource System.

Search for Child Nutrition Services by clicking on the interactive map.


Families, 4-H, and Nutrition

USDA. National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Government agency providing national leadership for programs addressing critical issues related to children, youth, and families.


Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth logo Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth

DHHS. NIH. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Highlights the importance of keeping teeth healthy and provides a listing of healthy snacks that help promote healthy teeth and gums.


Childhood Obesity

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

A national organization committed to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by the year 2015 through public policy changes that create healthier environments in schools and communities. Site offers links to best practices, news, and other tools.


Symposium on Childhood Obesity: Causes and Prevention (PDF | 300 KB)

USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Symposium discussions of leading scientific and policy experts in nutrition, diet and physical activity related to the prevention of long-term health risks associated with childhood obesity.


Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance

NAS. IOM. Food and Nutrition Board.

Final report and related materials from Institute of Medicine's study assessing childhood obesity in the US.


MCH Library Knowledge Path: Nutrition in Children and Adolescents

Georgetown University. Maternal and Child Care Health Library.

Contains selections of recent, high quality resources and tools for staying abreast of new developments and conducting further research. Components of a knowledge path include links to Web sites, electronic publications, databases, and discussion groups.


MCH Library Knowledge Path: Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Georgetown University. Maternal and Child Health Library.

Components of this knowledge path include links to Web sites, electronic publications, databases, and discussion groups related to the topic of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.


MCH Library Knowledge Path: Physical Activity and Children and Adolescents

Georgetown University. Maternal and Child Health Library.

Contains selections of recent, high quality resources and tools for staying abreast of new developments and conducting further research on the topic of physical activity and children and adolescents.