Researchers developed a culturally-grounded intervention to promote healthy beverage consumption among Navajo children aged 2–5 years. This study, which took place from 2021–2023, evaluated prepost changes in beverage habits and caregiver knowledge and attitudes. This was a prospective cohort study with prepost evaluation. Children attending participating early child education sites and their primary caregivers were enrolled. Survey data were collected at baseline, during the school year, and immediately after completion of the 4-month intervention. Average daily water intake increased significantly from 17.0 to 22.3 fl oz, P = 0.003. There was no significant change in consumption of other specific beverages, nor in the consumption of all sugar-sweetened beverages combined (P = 0.94). The proportion of caregivers who agreed or strongly agreed that they were knowledgeable about Diné traditions about water increased from 59.3% to 87.0% (P = 0.001). Similarly, those who agreed that Diné traditions about water influenced what drink they offered their children increased from 46.3% to 81.5% (P < 0.001). This pilot study suggests that a culturally-grounded water promotion program for Navajo families may have a positive impact on strengthening cultural connections among caregivers and increasing water intake among children aged 2–5 years. Further research is needed to evaluate effectiveness.
Published: February 2026
ID #: 77234
Journal: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Authors: George C, John B, Hecht K, Hecht C, Trevisi L, Vollmer L, Bitah K, Bennett E, Benally L, Egge M, Whitman R, Jones L, Yazzie AS, Shin SS
Race/Ethnicity: American Indian
Focus Areas: Beverages, Early Childhood
Keywords: Community setting, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Water
Resource Type: Journal Article
Age Group: Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
State: Tribal Nation
Related Research
September 2024
Water Is K’é: Learning from the Navajo Community to Promote Early Child Health
Drinking water instead of sugary drinks is key to reducing health disparities. Since beverage habits are shaped by complex personal, community, and environmental factors, community input is critical to design any intervention promoting water. The research team worked with community partners to design a program to promote healthy beverage habits among young Navajo children. The MoreAugust 2023
Teacher and Caregiver Perspectives on Water Is K’é: An Early Child Education Program to Promote Healthy Beverages among Navajo Children
The Water is K’é program was developed to increase water consumption and decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages for young children and caregivers. The pilot program was successfully delivered by three Family and Child Education (FACE) programs on the Navajo Nation using a culturally centered curriculum between 2020 to 2022. The purpose of this research was MoreAugust 2023
Teacher and Caregiver Perspectives on Water Is K’é: An Early Child Education Program to Promote Healthy Beverages among Navajo Children
The Water is K’é program was developed to increase water consumption and decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages for young children and caregivers. The pilot program was successfully delivered by three Family and Child Education (FACE) programs on the Navajo Nation using a culturally centered curriculum between 2020 to 2022. The purpose of this research was MoreDecember 2022
Water is K’é: A Community-Based Intervention to Increase Healthy Beverage Consumption by Navajo Preschool Children
This research brief gives an overview of the Water is K’é intervention, conducted among Navajo Nation families. The intervention was delivered by early care and education teachers to households with children ages 2-5, and covered the cultural importance of water, health benefits of water, and alternatives to sugary drinks. At baseline, more than 70% of children already MoreFebruary 2020