Abstract
Background: Preschool years are an important time for shaping healthy eating behaviors. Childcare centers can be a venue for policy change for broad and sustained positive impact on healthy eating environment. The objectives of this study were to assess how self-reported current practices align with updated statewide childcare center licensing regulations in Colorado, US, and to explore correlates of adherence.Methods: Using a post-test only study design, a survey was sent to all full-day, licensed childcare centers in Colorado (N = 1,398) with a valid street or email address. The survey included questions on allowable food and beverages, mealtime practices, and perceptions of the updated regulations. Frequencies were calculated and logistic regression models computed for a composite score of each of these factors.Results: Respondents (N = 344) were mostly center directors, with over 8 years of experience, from urban areas. Compliance was high for most food and beverage criteria (over 90%) and all meal practices. One third participated in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and were more likely to comply with the state meal regulations than non-CACFP centers.Conclusion: Although our results show high self-reported compliance, a more thorough study of the policy process would provide comprehensive evidence on effective development, enactment, and implementation of these regulations.
Highlights
Preventing obesity in young children holds promise for reversing the epidemic of childhood obesity [1] Among 2–5 year olds in the United States, the rate of obesity has more than doubled, up from 5% in 1980, to 13.9% in 2015 [2]
It is estimated that 80% of preschool age children in the United States spend an average of 40 h a week in out-of-home childcare [7]
Because of the number of meals and snacks that children consume during their time in childcare, policies that outline healthy eating and Colorado Childcare Nutrition Regulations mealtime practice guidelines can be effective and sustainable strategies to increase healthy eating [1, 6]
Summary
Preventing obesity in young children holds promise for reversing the epidemic of childhood obesity [1] Among 2–5 year olds in the United States, the rate of obesity has more than doubled, up from 5% in 1980, to 13.9% in 2015 [2]. The preschool years are an important time for promoting healthy eating, as behaviors developed in this period may persist into adulthood [4, 5]. An especially relevant setting for nutrition interventions in this age group is the childcare center [6]. Because of the number of meals and snacks that children consume during their time in childcare, policies that outline healthy eating and Colorado Childcare Nutrition Regulations mealtime practice guidelines can be effective and sustainable strategies to increase healthy eating [1, 6]. Preschool years are an important time for shaping healthy eating behaviors. Childcare centers can be a venue for policy change for broad and sustained positive impact on healthy eating environment. The objectives of this study were to assess how self-reported current practices align with updated statewide childcare center licensing regulations in Colorado, US, and to explore correlates of adherence
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