Scaling up healthy eating in early childhood education and care: evaluation of the Appetite to Play capacity-building intervention.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the dissemination of the healthy eating component of Appetite to Play at scale using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. The Appetite to Play capacity-building intervention is a set of evidence-informed implementation strategies aimed at enhancing the adoption of recommended practices for promoting healthy eating and active play in early years settings. The evaluation was pragmatic, employing both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (interviews) data collection. The Appetite to Play intervention was delivered through in-person community-based workshops, virtual workshops, asynchronous e-learning and online resources. We received completed surveys from 1670 in-person workshop participants (96 % female), and twenty-three (all female) survey respondents also participated in a telephone interview. Approximately two-thirds of all participant groups were certified early childhood educators. Results indicated that Appetite to Play had high reach (25 867 individual website visits, 195 workshops delivered), effectiveness (significant increases in care provider's knowledge, confidence (P < 0·05) and high post-intervention intention to implement), adoption (11 % of educators in BC trained) and implementation (good alignment with implementation strategies and current practices), with a significant maintenance plan to support the intervention's future success. An evidence-based capacity-building intervention with an emphasis on training and provision of practical online resources can improve early years providers' knowledge, confidence and intention to implement recommended practices that promote healthy eating. Further research is needed to determine the impact on child-level outcomes and how parents can be supported in contributing to positive food environments.