As one of USDA’s food assistance entitlement programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CAC... more As one of USDA’s food assistance entitlement programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to 2.9 million low-income American children, by reimbursing eligible childcare providers. CACFP also has suggested written feeding guideline policies to foster a supportive feeding environment, including allowing children to serve themselves. Interestingly, these guidelines are congruent with recommendations to prevent childhood overweight. Moreover, they support the concept of Satter’s division of responsibility. This concept assumes adults are responsible for selecting, preparing and offering healthful foods as well as determining when and where meals and snacks are served. On the other hand, children are responsible for how much they eat, or whether they eat at all— control of food intake.
IntroductionStrategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childh... more IntroductionStrategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers.MethodsEligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110 directors and 289 staff from nonfunded centers. Chi square analyses, pairwise comparisons, t tests, and multiple linear regressions were used to compare CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers.ResultsSignificant differences were noted in 10 of 26 feeding practices between CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. In each case, CACFP-funded centers reported practices more consistent with a supportive feeding environment. Forty-one percent of the variance could be explained by training factors, including who was trained, the credentials of those providing training, and the type of training.ConclusionOur findings suggest that when trained by nutrition professionals, child care staff learn, adopt, and operationalize childhood obesity prevention feeding guidelines, thereby creating a supportive mealtime feeding environment.
Introduction: Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in chil... more Introduction: Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers. Methods: Eligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110 directors and 289 staff from nonfunded centers. Chi square analyses, pairwise comparisons, t tests, and multiple linear regressions were used to compare CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. Results: Significant differences were noted in 10 of 26 feeding practices between CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. In each case, CACFP-funded centers reported practices more consistent with a supportive feeding environment. Forty-one percent of the variance could be explained by training factors, including who was trained, the credentials of those providing training, and the type of training. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that when trained by nutrition professionals, child care staff learn, adopt, and operationalize childhood obesity prevention feeding guidelines, thereby creating a supportive mealtime feeding environment.
ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 2014
Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) is below recommendations. Objectives of the stud... more Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) is below recommendations. Objectives of the study were to (a) describe the type and frequency of FVC, (b) analyze the average nutrient intake from young children’s fruit consumption and vegetable consumption separately, and (c) determine the contribution of demographic factors on FVC. Children aged 2 to 5 years (n = 821) were identified using the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Average servings and nutrient intake from FVC were estimated. Multiple comparisons among age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and poverty index ratio (PIR) were analyzed using an ANCOVA. Akaike’s information criterion determined relative contribution of each factor to FVC. Children consumed 3 times as many fruit servings as vegetable servings regardless of age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, and PIR. Potato products and fruit juice were consumed most frequently and in the greatest amounts. In general, children obtained more nutrie...
To explore child care staff and parent perspectives and communications about children&amp... more To explore child care staff and parent perspectives and communications about children's eating in child care. Focus groups (FGs) conducted with child care staff and parents. Four Western states in the United States. Thirty-nine child care staff in 7 FGs and 25 parents in 6 FGs. Thoughts and concerns about children's eating and opportunities to improve communication between staff and parents. Content analysis (FG coding inter-rater reliability: staff = 0.74; parents = 0.81) and identification of meta-themes. Three meta-themes were identified: (1) recognition of positive influences of the child care setting in children's development of healthy eating; (2) concerns about children's eating in child care and at home; and (3) strategies to improve communications and transactions related to children's eating. Staff reported that their roles included informing parents about food at mealtimes in child care (eg, menus, recipes) but also educating parents about child nutrition and feeding. Parents valued daily information about their child's eating to adjust home mealtimes and to feel connected to their child. Barriers to effective communication included limited time and concerns regarding parent reactions and defensiveness. Staff requested training about child nutrition and feeding and about sensitive communications with parents.
Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because... more Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers. Eligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110...
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 02568549709594719, Nov 3, 2009
ABSTRACT Many child care food program guidelines recommend family-style food service as a best pr... more ABSTRACT Many child care food program guidelines recommend family-style food service as a best practice for feeding young children in group settings. However, some child care providers resist these guidelines, expressing concerns about convenience, food waste, and time constraints. This study was conducted to determine if there are differences in food intake, waste, and time required for eating when young children in group settings are served by pre-portioned or family-style food service. Forty children, ages 35 to 60 months (19 boys, 21 girls), were observed during 108 preschool sessions. Pre-portioned food service was used one day per week for 35 sessions; family-style food service was used for the remaining 73 sessions. Mean intake of children fed family style was significantly greater than the mean intake of children fed using the pre-portioned method. No significant differences between feeding protocols were found in the mean portions of waste or in the time required to eat. This study provides evidence that family-style service does not significantly contribute to the generation of food waste, nor does it significantly extend the amount of time required for eating.
As one of USDA’s food assistance entitlement programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CAC... more As one of USDA’s food assistance entitlement programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to 2.9 million low-income American children, by reimbursing eligible childcare providers. CACFP also has suggested written feeding guideline policies to foster a supportive feeding environment, including allowing children to serve themselves. Interestingly, these guidelines are congruent with recommendations to prevent childhood overweight. Moreover, they support the concept of Satter’s division of responsibility. This concept assumes adults are responsible for selecting, preparing and offering healthful foods as well as determining when and where meals and snacks are served. On the other hand, children are responsible for how much they eat, or whether they eat at all— control of food intake.
IntroductionStrategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childh... more IntroductionStrategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers.MethodsEligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110 directors and 289 staff from nonfunded centers. Chi square analyses, pairwise comparisons, t tests, and multiple linear regressions were used to compare CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers.ResultsSignificant differences were noted in 10 of 26 feeding practices between CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. In each case, CACFP-funded centers reported practices more consistent with a supportive feeding environment. Forty-one percent of the variance could be explained by training factors, including who was trained, the credentials of those providing training, and the type of training.ConclusionOur findings suggest that when trained by nutrition professionals, child care staff learn, adopt, and operationalize childhood obesity prevention feeding guidelines, thereby creating a supportive mealtime feeding environment.
Introduction: Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in chil... more Introduction: Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers. Methods: Eligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110 directors and 289 staff from nonfunded centers. Chi square analyses, pairwise comparisons, t tests, and multiple linear regressions were used to compare CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. Results: Significant differences were noted in 10 of 26 feeding practices between CACFP-funded and nonfunded centers. In each case, CACFP-funded centers reported practices more consistent with a supportive feeding environment. Forty-one percent of the variance could be explained by training factors, including who was trained, the credentials of those providing training, and the type of training. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that when trained by nutrition professionals, child care staff learn, adopt, and operationalize childhood obesity prevention feeding guidelines, thereby creating a supportive mealtime feeding environment.
ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 2014
Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) is below recommendations. Objectives of the stud... more Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) is below recommendations. Objectives of the study were to (a) describe the type and frequency of FVC, (b) analyze the average nutrient intake from young children’s fruit consumption and vegetable consumption separately, and (c) determine the contribution of demographic factors on FVC. Children aged 2 to 5 years (n = 821) were identified using the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Average servings and nutrient intake from FVC were estimated. Multiple comparisons among age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and poverty index ratio (PIR) were analyzed using an ANCOVA. Akaike’s information criterion determined relative contribution of each factor to FVC. Children consumed 3 times as many fruit servings as vegetable servings regardless of age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, and PIR. Potato products and fruit juice were consumed most frequently and in the greatest amounts. In general, children obtained more nutrie...
To explore child care staff and parent perspectives and communications about children&amp... more To explore child care staff and parent perspectives and communications about children's eating in child care. Focus groups (FGs) conducted with child care staff and parents. Four Western states in the United States. Thirty-nine child care staff in 7 FGs and 25 parents in 6 FGs. Thoughts and concerns about children's eating and opportunities to improve communication between staff and parents. Content analysis (FG coding inter-rater reliability: staff = 0.74; parents = 0.81) and identification of meta-themes. Three meta-themes were identified: (1) recognition of positive influences of the child care setting in children's development of healthy eating; (2) concerns about children's eating in child care and at home; and (3) strategies to improve communications and transactions related to children's eating. Staff reported that their roles included informing parents about food at mealtimes in child care (eg, menus, recipes) but also educating parents about child nutrition and feeding. Parents valued daily information about their child's eating to adjust home mealtimes and to feel connected to their child. Barriers to effective communication included limited time and concerns regarding parent reactions and defensiveness. Staff requested training about child nutrition and feeding and about sensitive communications with parents.
Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because... more Strategies to prevent adult chronic diseases, including obesity, must start in childhood. Because many preschool-aged children spend mealtimes in child care facilities, staff should be taught supportive feeding practices for childhood obesity prevention. Higher obesity rates among low-income children suggest that centers providing care to these children require special attention. We compared self-reported feeding practices at child care centers serving low-income children on the basis of whether they received funding and support from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which suggests supportive feeding practices. We also assessed training factors that could account for differences among centers. Eligible licensed child care centers (n = 1600) from California, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada received surveys. Of the 568 responding centers, 203 enrolled low-income families and served meals. We analyzed the responses of 93 directors and 278 staff for CACFP-funded centers and 110...
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 02568549709594719, Nov 3, 2009
ABSTRACT Many child care food program guidelines recommend family-style food service as a best pr... more ABSTRACT Many child care food program guidelines recommend family-style food service as a best practice for feeding young children in group settings. However, some child care providers resist these guidelines, expressing concerns about convenience, food waste, and time constraints. This study was conducted to determine if there are differences in food intake, waste, and time required for eating when young children in group settings are served by pre-portioned or family-style food service. Forty children, ages 35 to 60 months (19 boys, 21 girls), were observed during 108 preschool sessions. Pre-portioned food service was used one day per week for 35 sessions; family-style food service was used for the remaining 73 sessions. Mean intake of children fed family style was significantly greater than the mean intake of children fed using the pre-portioned method. No significant differences between feeding protocols were found in the mean portions of waste or in the time required to eat. This study provides evidence that family-style service does not significantly contribute to the generation of food waste, nor does it significantly extend the amount of time required for eating.
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