Child Care Nutrition Environment: Is it related to children's fruit and vegetable intake?

Abstract

Objectives To assess the impact of child care nutrition environment on children's fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among preschool children. Methods The study sample consisted of cohort of 425 preschool-aged children enrolled in 29 child care centers participating in the STRONG Kids program. Child care nutrition environments (CCNE) were measured by trained observers using the modified Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation. Hierarchical regressions were performed to evaluate whether CCNE and parent FV intake are associated with children's FV intake after controlling for primary caregiver's and child's characteristics. Results Results of the correlation analysis between CCNE and children's FV intake indicated that both Total Nutrition Environment (TNE) and Fruit/Vegetable environment (FVE) were positively correlated with vegetable intake and FV intake, while there was no relationship for fruit and 100% fruit juice intake. From the hierarchical regression analysis, both child care FVE and primary caregivers' fruit intake were independently associated with children's FV intake. Conclusion This study identified the significant role of child care FV environment when we promote FV intake among preschool children.