Childcare Food Provision Recommendations Vary across Australia: Jurisdictional Comparison and Nutrition Expert Perspectives

Abstract

Early childhood is a critical stage for nutrition promotion, and childcare settings have the potential for wide-reaching impact on food intake. There are currently no Australian national guidelines for childcare food provision, and the comparability of existing guidelines across jurisdictions is unknown. This project aimed to map and compare childcare food provision guidelines and to explore perspectives amongst early childhood nutrition experts for alignment of jurisdictional childcare food provision guidelines with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG). A desktop review was conducted and formed the basis of an online survey. A national convenience sample of childhood nutrition experts was surveyed. Existing guideline recommendations for food group serving quantities were similar across jurisdictions but contained many minor differences. Of the 49 survey respondents, most (84–100%) agreed with aligning food group provision recommendations to provide at least 50% of the recommended ADG serves for children. Most (94%) agreed that discretionary foods should be offered less than once per month or never. Jurisdictional childcare food provision guidelines do not currently align, raising challenges for national accreditation and the provision of support and resources for services across jurisdictions. Childhood nutrition experts support national alignment of food provision guidelines with the ADG.

An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework

“…However, state and territory agencies are responsible for ensuring compliance [ 9 , 39 ]. The assessment and monitoring of compliance is further exacerbated by differences in the interpretation of federal nutrition guidelines by states and territories [ 94 ]. This discrepancy between levels of government is similar in the US, with “Caring for Our Children” detailing the National Health and Safety Performance Standards for ECEC in the US [ 95 ], yet licencing of ECEC services is determined at a state-level with accreditation of ECEC services being optional.…”

Application of the multiphase optimisation strategy to develop, optimise and evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent initiative package to increase 2-to-5-year-old children’s vegetable intake in long day care centres: a study protocol

“…18 Menu planning guidelines that guide the provision of foods according to dietary guidelines are also common. 19 Despite these standards, children's food intake while in childcare is not consistent with dietary guidelines [20][21][22] and menus at most LDC centres do not comply with menu guidelines. 23 24 For example, 0%-55% of centres comply with guidelines for vegetable provision.…”

An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework

“…However, State and Territory agencies are responsible for ensuring compliance [9,36]. Assessment and monitoring of compliance is further exacerbated by differences in interpretation of federal nutrition guidelines by states and territories [92]. This discrepancy between levels of government is similar in the US, with 'Caring for Our Children' detailing the National Health and Safety Performance Standards for ECEC in the US [93], yet licencing of ECEC services is determined at a state-level with accreditation of ECEC services being optional.…”