Abstract
Caregivers’ nutrition and physical activity knowledge is recognised as being important for children’s health and body size. Identifying knowledge gaps amongst caregivers may inform professional development and obesity-prevention strategies in childcare settings. This cross-sectional validated online questionnaire aimed to measure current early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers’ nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers (2–5-year-olds) and related perspectives. Teachers’ (n = 386) knowledge of nutrition was lacking: The overall score was 22.56 ± 2.83 (mean ± SD), or 61% correct. Increased years of experience significantly predicted an increase in knowing that national nutrition and physical activity guidelines exist (B = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.00–0.03], r2 = 0.13, p = 0.033). Teachers’ increased agreement in feeling they were confident talking about nutrition to parents significantly predicted an increase in overall nutrition knowledge scores (B = 0.34 [95% CI, 0.06–0.63], r2 = 0.15, p = 0.019). The belief that ECEC teachers play a vital role in promoting pre-schoolers’ healthy eating and physical activity was widespread. Common knowledge barriers included a lack of staff training, confidence, and resources. ECEC teachers may lack nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers, particularly in regard to basic nutrition recommendations (servings, food/beverage choices, and portion sizes).
Highlights
IntroductionWith more children being enrolled in early childcare education and care (ECEC) centres [1,2], this setting is becoming increasingly important for children’s health and body weight [3,4,5]
With more children being enrolled in early childcare education and care (ECEC) centres [1,2], this setting is becoming increasingly important for children’s health and body weight [3,4,5].Despite conflicting research [6,7], many studies suggest that children who attend childcare are more likely to be overweight or obese [8,9,10]
Teachers’ increased agreement in feeling they were confident talking about nutrition to parents significantly predicted an increase in overall nutrition knowledge scores (B = 0.34 [95% CI, 0.06–0.63], r2 = 0.15, p = 0.019)
Summary
With more children being enrolled in early childcare education and care (ECEC) centres [1,2], this setting is becoming increasingly important for children’s health and body weight [3,4,5]. Despite conflicting research [6,7], many studies suggest that children who attend childcare are more likely to be overweight or obese [8,9,10]. Global strategies to eliminate childhood obesity recognise the importance of caregivers’. Knowledge [16] and their understanding of the links between health, diet, and physical activity in children [17]. ECEC teachers’ knowledge about nutrition and physical activity for pre-schoolers (2–5-year-olds) remains relatively unreported
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