Assessment of Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Practices in Oklahoma Child-Care Centers

Sisson, Susan B.; Campbell, Janis; May, Kellie; Brittain, Danielle R.; Monroe, Lisa; Guss, Shannon; J, Ladner

doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.05.009

Cited by 55 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…On the day of observation, child-care facilities also achieved particularly positive scores pertaining to: (i) fruit servings provided to children and appearing on the weekly menu; (ii) dark vegetable servings; (iii) high-fibre grain servings; and (iv) a limited number of high-fat or fried/pre-fried meat items served. Our observation that most facilities met best practices for the number of fruit servings is consistent with other studies (16,19,20) . As discussed by Nicklas et al (27) , childcare meals are opportune times for pre-schoolers to continually be exposed to healthy items, as researchers have demonstrated that repeated exposure to food items might influence development of food preferences (38,39) .…”

Section: Food and Beverage Servingssupporting

confidence: 91%

“…across a sample of home-and centre-based child-care programmes in London, Ontario, Canada. While studies have explored the nutrition environment of child-care facilities internationally (10,16,19,20,22) , this environment is not well understood in Canada and research comparing the nutrition-related policies and practices in Column totals may not add up to the total number of facilities observed (i.e. n 19) as outdoor playtime did not always occur, staff were not observed eating at every facility, or if the facility did not provide a weekly menu.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Martyniuk

Vanderloo

Irwin

et al. 2016

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To assess and compare the nutrition environment and practices (as they relate to pre-schoolers) of centre-and home-based child-care facilities. Design: Using a cross-sectional study design, nineteen child-care facilities (ten centre-based, nine home-based) were assessed for one full day using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool (consisting of a day-long observation/review of the nutrition environment, practices and related documents). Specifically, eight nutrition-related subscales were considered. Setting: Child-care facilities in London, Ontario, Canada. Subjects: Child-care facilities were recruited through directors at centre-based programmes and the providers of home-based programmes. Results: The mean total nutrition environment EPAO scores for centre-and homebased facilities were 12·3 (SD 1·94) and 10·8 (SD 0·78) out of 20 (where a higher score indicates a more supportive environment with regard to nutrition), respectively. The difference between the total nutrition environment EPAO score for centre-and home-based facilities was approaching significance (P = 0·055). For both types of facilities, the highest nutrition subscale score (out of 20) was achieved in the staff behaviours domain (centre mean = 17·4; home mean = 17·0) and the lowest was in the nutrition training and education domain (centre mean = 3·6; home mean = 2·0). Conclusions: Additional research is needed to confirm these findings. In order to better support child-care staff and enhance the overall nutrition environment in child care, modifications to food practices could be adopted. Specifically, the nutritional quality of foods/beverages provided to pre-schoolers could be improved, nutrition-related training for child-care staff could be provided, and a nutrition curriculum could be created to educate pre-schoolers about healthy food choices. KeywordsNutrition Child-care environment Pre-school children Child-care staff practices Nutritious diets are integral to children's healthy growth and development (1,2) . Specifically, researchers have demonstrated a clear connection between children's nutrition and both their physical and cognitive health and abilities, inclusive of higher academic performance (3)(4)(5) . It is important for children to develop healthy eating habits at an early age, as research indicates that food preferences and dietary habits established during childhood can impact their habits in later life (6)(7)(8) . During the early years, children's eating practices are highly influenced by others, such as family members, caregivers and/or child-care providers (9) . Given the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, healthy nutrition practices are a key element to ensuring appropriate growth and wellness (9)(10)(11) .The child-care setting might serve as an ideal venue to initiate the development of pre-schoolers' healthy eating habits and facilitate a positive eating environment. With over half of Canadian pre-schoolers enrolled in child care (12) , coupled with the number o...

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Section: Food and Beverage Servingssupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Martyniuk

Vanderloo

Irwin

et al. 2016

Public Health Nutr.

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“…19 Seven studies in child care centers have examined child care providers' adherence with these best practices, including both staff behaviors and comments at meals. 12,[20][21][22][23][24][25] Collectively, the studies indicate wide variation in mealtime environments and staff behaviors. Three of the studies relied on child care centers to self-report on mealtime practices through a survey and had modest response rates (41%-45%).…”

Section: Childhood Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three of the studies relied on child care centers to self-report on mealtime practices through a survey and had modest response rates (41%-45%). 12,20,21 Two of the studies examined how execution of best practices relates to children's actual dietary intake. 24,25 Of the two, only one used direct observation 25 and both were conducted in the Netherlands, limiting their generalizability to US children.…”

Section: Childhood Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Mealtime Best Practice Guidelines for Child Care Centers Associated with Energy, Vegetable, and Fruit Intake?

et al. 2016

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Background: Mealtime best practices for obesity prevention in child care have been developed from experimental studies and expert opinion. Our objective was to describe adherence to best practices in child care centers and to evaluate the association between mealtime practices and children's dietary intake.Methods: We conducted an observational study of 349 preschoolers, ages 36 to 72 months, from 30 child care centers in Cincinnati, Ohio (November 2009 to January 2011). Trained observers recorded providers' behaviors related to six mealtime best practice recommendations and documented children's intake (n = 60 group lunches). General linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between practice use and children's total energy (caloric consumption) and fruit and vegetable consumption.Results: Adherence to individual mealtime best practices was variable (0%-77%). Staff sitting with children at lunch was associated with lower energy intake and higher vegetable intake. Staff eating some of the same foods was associated with higher energy intake and higher vegetable intake. Staff encouraging children to try new/less-favorite foods more than once was associated with lower fruit intake. Staff having general conversations with children (not addressed in recommendations) was associated with lower vegetable intake. Family-style meal service, staff talking about healthy foods, and staff helping children assess hunger before seconds were not significantly associated with intake.Conclusions: Few mealtime best practices were associated with dietary intake. Given the number of meals children consume in child care and the prevalence of childhood obesity, efforts to identify mealtime practices that improve children's dietary intake are crucial for obesity prevention.

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“…With this in mind, the need to ensure best practice in pre-school nutrition and physical activity is paramount. Although the American Dietetic Association notes that child-care regulations reflect a minimum standard and that actual practice should greatly exceed them (19) , it would appear that in many countries poor nutrition and physical practice have been documented; in the UK (20,21) , the USA (22)(23)(24)(25) , Australia (26) , Holland (27) and Ireland (28,29) .…”

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confidence: 99%

Healthy incentive scheme in the Irish full-day-care pre-school setting

Molloy

Kearney²,

Hayes³

et al. 2013

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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A pre-school offering a full-day-care service provides for children aged 0-5 years for more than 4 h/d. Researchers have called for studies that will provide an understanding of nutrition and physical activity practices in this setting. Obesity prevention in pre-schools, through the development of healthy associations with food and health-related practices, has been advocated. While guidelines for the promotion of best nutrition and health-related practice in the early years' setting exist in a number of jurisdictions, associated regulations have been noted to be poor, with the environment of the child-care facility mainly evaluated for safety. Much cross-sectional research outlines poor nutrition and physical activity practice in this setting. However, there are few published environmental and policy-level interventions targeting the child-care provider with, to our knowledge, no evidence of such interventions in Ireland. The aim of the present paper is to review international guidelines and recommendations relating to health promotion best practice in the pre-school setting: service and resource provision; food service and food availability; and the role and involvement of parents in pre-schools. Intervention programmes and assessment tools available to measure such practice are outlined; and insight is provided into an intervention scheme, formulated from available best practice, that was introduced into the Irish full-daycare pre-school setting.

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Assessment of Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Practices in Oklahoma Child-Care Centers

Cited by 55 publications

References 23 publications

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Are Mealtime Best Practice Guidelines for Child Care Centers Associated with Energy, Vegetable, and Fruit Intake?

Healthy incentive scheme in the Irish full-day-care pre-school setting

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