Evaluation of Menus Planned in Mississippi Child-Care Centers Participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Nutritional Quality of Meals Compared to Snacks in Child Care

“…1,2,14 Previous studies have examined the nutritional quality of foods and beverages served in child-care programs. Overall, these studies found that children were served insufficient amounts of vegetables, [15][16][17][18] grains 15,[17][18][19] (especially whole grains 15,18 ), and foods rich in iron, 16,[18][19][20][21] zinc, [18][19][20] and niacin. 16,[19][20][21] A few studies have also reported inadequate servings of fruits, 15,17 meats, 15,17 and fiber.…”

“…Overall, these studies found that children were served insufficient amounts of vegetables, [15][16][17][18] grains 15,[17][18][19] (especially whole grains 15,18 ), and foods rich in iron, 16,[18][19][20][21] zinc, [18][19][20] and niacin. 16,[19][20][21] A few studies have also reported inadequate servings of fruits, 15,17 meats, 15,17 and fiber. 19,22 Conversely, most studies have reported that foods served at meals and snacks are high in fat [18][19][20][21][22] (e.g., full-fat milk, 15 high-fat meat, 15,16,21 or fried foods 15 ), added sugars 15,16,18,20,21 (e.g., cookies/pastries and sweetened beverages 15,16 ), and sodium.…”

“…19,22 Conversely, most studies have reported that foods served at meals and snacks are high in fat [18][19][20][21][22] (e.g., full-fat milk, 15 high-fat meat, 15,16,21 or fried foods 15 ), added sugars 15,16,18,20,21 (e.g., cookies/pastries and sweetened beverages 15,16 ), and sodium. 18,19,21,22 Some of these studies were published over a decade ago, 16,[18][19][20][21] thus predating the current obesity epidemic 23 and multiple public health efforts 24 to improve the nutritional quality of foods served in child-care settings. As a result, it is unclear if these patterns persist.…”

“…As a result, it is unclear if these patterns persist. Moreover, most of these studies [15][16][17][18][19][20]25 have examined child-care programs in the southern United States, so it is unknown to what extent food servings in other parts of the country mirror the patterns noted above. Last, none of these studies was stratified by type of meal occasion (meal vs. snack) to compare the nutritional quality.…”

Caregiver food behaviours are associated with dietary intakes of children outside the child-care setting

“…During this critical stage of development, the majority of children under 6 years old (approximately 61 %) in the USA share their time between the home and child-care settings (2) . Foods and beverages offered to and consumed by children in these settings play a significant role in children's overall health (3)(4)(5)(6) . At home, parents' food practices and family characteristics contribute to children's dietary intakes (7) .…”