Food Practices of Preschool Children in Daycare do not reflect Nutrition Knowledge and Attitudes

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To assess nutrition knowledge, attitude, and food behaviors of preschool children attending day care.A growing number of preschool children attend child care facilities outside of their own home. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement and training to participating day care facilities. The purpose of the present study was to assess nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and food practices of preschool children in CACFP-participating daycare facilities throughout Texas. Approximately 100 randomly selected day care facilities from the 11 public health regions of Texas participated in the study. The sample included 135 children, age 3; 143 children, age 4 and; 78 children, age 5. Instruments were designed using performance indicators that were developed using a two-phase Delphi process and field testing. Children were tested on nutrition knowledge concepts using an age-appropriate picture format. Nutrition attitudes were expressed by selecting frowning or smiling faces. Food choices were measured through selection from food models and observing actual food consumption. Younger children scored an overall mean of 62% on the knowledge test while older children scored 74%. Attitudes of children were very positive with a mean/standard deviation of 1.76/0.15 on a 2 point scale. Scores on the assessment of food choices, however, were very low. Three-year olds scored 34%; 4-year olds, 32% and; 5-year olds. 37% on the food choice assessment. CACFP meal components were refused by 14 – 22% of children at breakfast and 7 – 15% at lunch. Results show that children as young as three are receptive and capable of learning about nutrition and its relationship to health. However, the children's food choices did not reflect their positive knowledge and attitudes. Recommendations include building on positive attitudes to increase nutrition knowledge at an early age, and; development and implementation of methods to increase food acceptance in the daycare setting. (Research funded by the Texas Nutrition Education and Training Program)