Abstract
BackgroundHouseholds experiencing "food insecurity" have limited access to food due to a lack of money or resources. Poor nutrition, from food insecurity, can impact physical and cognitive development of children. Study objectives were to document the prevalence of Tennessee child care programs screening for food insecurity, explore differences between programs receiving child and adult care food program (CACFP) funding and those screening for food insecurity, and understand possible burdens food insecurity places on child care families as perceived by child care program directors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study of licensed Tennessee child care programs, a 10-question survey and four-question follow-up survey were electronically distributed. Analysis included descriptive statistics, a chi-square of programs receiving CACFP funds and screening for food insecurity, and themes analysis of open-ended responses.ResultsThe average child care program enrollment (N = 272) was 80.16 with programs serving mostly preschoolers (98.53%) and toddlers (91.91%). Over half (56.99%) of programs reported they received CACFP funding, yet only 9.19% screen for food insecurity. Chi-square analysis found that programs receiving CACFP funds differ significantly on whether they screen households for food insecurity chi2 (1, n = 237) = 16.93, p ≤ 0.001. Themes analysis (n = 41) revealed that many child care program directors do not view food insecurity as a burden for families.ConclusionsChild care programs receiving CACFP funds are more likely to screen families for food insecurity than programs who do not. Programs indicate a willingness to include food insecurity screening questions on child care paperwork.
Highlights
In 2020, 89.5% of U.S households reported having enough food to maintain a healthy quality of life, while the remaining 10.5% struggled with adequate food at some point during the year (Coleman-Jensen et al, 2021)
Study objectives were to document the prevalence of Tennessee child care programs screening for food insecurity, explore differences between programs receiving child and adult care food program (CACFP) funding and those screening for food insecurity, and understand possible burdens food insecurity places on child care families as perceived by child care program directors
The current study focused on documenting the prevalence of Tennessee child care programs screening for food insecurity and found that only about 9% (n = 25) of programs were
Summary
In 2020, 89.5% of U.S households reported having enough food to maintain a healthy quality of life, while the remaining 10.5% struggled with adequate food at some point during the year (Coleman-Jensen et al, 2021). Maternal and Child Health Journal (2022) 26:309–318 during 2020, meaning that households were unable at times to access and provide adequate, nutritious food for their children (Coleman-Jensen et al, 2021). One Healthy People 2020 objective, aimed solely at children, seeks to “eliminate very low food security among children.”. A chi-square of programs receiving CACFP funds and screening for food insecurity, and themes analysis of open-ended responses. Chi-square analysis found that programs receiving CACFP funds differ significantly on whether they screen households for food insecurity 2 (1, n = 237) = 16.93, p ≤ 0.001. Conclusions Child care programs receiving CACFP funds are more likely to screen families for food insecurity than programs who do not. Programs indicate a willingness to include food insecurity screening questions on child care paperwork
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