A community-wide multisetting, multistrategy intervention in early-childhood settings can reduce childhood obesity and improve young children's diets. This trial was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry at anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12607000374460.

Choosing foods for infants is a complex social practice. An ecological framework depicting the multiple influences on what people eat and sociological theory on food choice regarding the role of 'social structure' and 'human agency' are both applicable to the process of choosing foods for infants. Equity issues may be key regarding the degree to which mothers can choose particular foods for infants (e.g. choosing foods which promote health).

Aim We aimed to explore the future roles of nutrition and dietetics professionals, and what capabilities the workforce would need to fulfil these roles. Method A qualitative interpretive approach was employed. We conducted individual interviews with nutrition and non‐nutrition thought leaders external to the profession. In addition, we conducted focus groups with experts within the nutrition and dietetics profession, academic dietetics educators and students/recent nutrition and dietetics graduates (total sample n = 68). Key nutrition‐related issues and challenges, drivers for change and potential future roles of the profession were explored. Data were analysed using a team‐based thematic analysis approach. Results Future roles of nutrition and dietetics professionals were described as food aficionados, diet optimisers, knowledge translators, equity champions, systems navigators and food systems activists, change makers, activists and disruptors. In addition, science was identified as a uniting framework underpinning the professions. An additional 16 critical capabilities were considered to underpin practice. Conclusion The results demonstrated that the current and future needs for workforce education and development need to address the impact of climate change, growing inequities, the democratisation of knowledge and the disruption of health and food systems. Education providers, regulators, professional associations and citizens need to work together to realise roles that will deliver on better health for all.

Background  The Romp & Chomp intervention reduced the prevalence of overweight/obesity in pre‐school children in Geelong, Victoria, Australia through an intervention promoting healthy eating and active play in early childhood settings. This study aims to determine if the intervention successfully created more health promoting family day care (FDC) environments. Methods  The evaluation had a cross‐sectional, quasi‐experimental design with the intervention FDC service in Geelong and a comparison sample from 17 FDC services across Victoria. A 45‐item questionnaire capturing nutrition‐ and physical activity‐related aspects of the policy, socio‐cultural and physical environments of the FDC service was completed by FDC care providers (in 2008) in the intervention (n= 28) and comparison (n= 223) samples. Results  Select results showed intervention children spent less time in screen‐based activities (P= 0.03), organized active play (P < 0.001) and free inside play (P= 0.03) than comparison children. There were more rules related to healthy eating (P < 0.001), more care provider practices that supported children's positive meal experiences (P < 0.001), fewer unhealthy food items allowed (P= 0.05), higher odds of staff being trained in nutrition (P= 0.04) and physical activity (P < 0.001), lower odds of having set minimum times for outside (P < 0.001) and organized (P= 0.01) active play, and of rewarding children with food (P < 0.001). Conclusions  Romp & Chomp improved the FDC service to one that discourages sedentary behaviours and promotes opportunities for children to eat nutritious foods. Ongoing investment to increase children's physical activity within the setting and improving the capacity and health literacy of care providers is required to extend and sustain the improvements.

Understanding parental oral health beliefs is essential to overcoming barriers and promoting enablers for good child oral health. Improving child oral health also requires consideration of child behaviour, family influences, and increasing awareness of lesser-known influencing factors.