scholarly journals Obesity prevention in early care and education: a comparison of licensing regulations across Canadian provinces and territories

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 362-373
Author(s):  
Kelsey A Vercammen ◽  
Johannah M Frelier ◽  
Mary Kathryn Poole ◽  
Erica L Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Canadian Province ◽  
Maximum Score ◽  
Time Standards ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Abstract Background Early care and education (ECE) settings represent an important point of intervention for childhood obesity prevention efforts. The objective of this paper was to compare ECE licensing regulations for each Canadian province/territory to evidence-based, obesity prevention standards. Methods Two authors reviewed existing ECE regulations for each province/territory and examined whether the regulatory text supported standards for nutrition (n = 11), physical activity (n = 5) and screen time (n = 4). Provinces/territories were evaluated on the strength of regulatory language for each standard (i.e. fully, partially, or not addressed) and a total comprehensiveness score (maximum score of 20). ECE centres and homes were examined separately. Results The majority of provinces/territories required providers to follow Canada’s Food Guide, but few had regulations for specific foods or beverages. Most provinces/territories included standards related to written menus and drinking water, but the strength of these standards was weak. Many provinces/territories required physical activity and outdoor opportunities to be provided daily, but few included a time requirement. Only two provinces included any screen time standards. Total comprehensiveness scores averaged 5.7 for centres and 5.4 for homes. Conclusions Canadian provinces/territories have insufficient obesity prevention regulations in ECE settings, highlighting a potential point of intervention to prevent obesity.

Obesity Prevention in the Early Care and Education Setting: Successful Initiatives across a Spectrum of Opportunities

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (S2) ◽  
pp. 8-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith A. Reynolds ◽  
Caree Jackson Cotwright ◽  
Barbara Polhamus ◽  
Allison Gertel-Rosenberg ◽  
Debbie Chang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Practice Recommendations

The Early Care and Education (ECE) track presentations from CDC’s Weight of the Nation (WON) 2012 conference showcased innovative national, state, and community obesity prevention efforts. The track was organized around CDC’s “Spectrum of Opportunities” for obesity prevention in ECE (the Spectrum; Table 1), which outlines a common set of opportunities that can enhance the ECE environment with respect to nutrition, breastfeeding support, physical activity, and screen time — all important areas for obesity prevention targeting young children. Participants discussed the opportunities on the spectrum that had been pursued, the obesity prevention standards and best practices that had been the emphasis of their efforts, and common steps for developing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives. This paper provides background information on why ECE is an important component of any jurisdiction’s obesity prevention efforts, references for the primary national reports offering standards and best practice recommendations, an introduction to the Spectrum, and brief summaries of the WON ECE track presentations.

Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education Programs

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Education Programs

Updated set of national standards describing evidence-based best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and screen time for early care and education programs. The new Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education, 2nd ed. is the new set of national standards describing evidence-based best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and screen time for early care and education programs. The standards are for all types of early care and education settings - centers and family child care homes. These updated standards will be a part of the new comprehensive Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.

scholarly journals Screen-Time Policies and Practices in Early Care and Education Centers in Relationship to Child Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Staiano ◽  
Elizabeth Kipling Webster ◽  
Andrew T. Allen ◽  
Amber R. Jarrell ◽  
Corby K. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Child Physical Activity ◽  
Policies And Practices

scholarly journals Young Children’s Screen Time and Physical Activity: Perspectives of Parents and Early Care and Education Center Providers

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2333794X1986585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth D. Joseph ◽  
Chelsea L. Kracht ◽  
Jessica St. Romain ◽  
Andrew T. Allen ◽  
Caroline Barbaree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Early Care

Early care and education (ECE) providers and parents can facilitate physical activity (PA) and reduce screen time in preschoolers. Input from caregivers on barriers and facilitators of PA and screen time is needed to comprehensively address these behaviors and promote children’s health. Four focus groups (3 parent and 1 ECE provider) were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed to identify themes and subthemes. Twenty-eight caregivers (21 parents and 7 ECE providers) participated. Caregivers reported responsibility for modeling and shaping children’s PA and screen time. Parents felt that a busy lifestyle was a PA barrier and encouraged screen time. ECE providers were concerned about certain environmental influences on PA. The groups differed in their view of screen time as either entertainment (parents) or educational (providers). Both types of caregivers were unaware of PA or screen time guidelines. Investigation into opportunities to utilize screen time to serve priorities of both caregivers and promote child PA are needed.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Opportunities Within the Schedule of Early Care and Education Centers

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Mazzucca ◽  
Derek Hales ◽  
Kelly R. Evenson ◽  
Alice Ammerman ◽  
Deborah F. Tate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Early Care

Process Evaluation of an Early Care and Education Intervention: The California Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study (CA-CORD)

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Fan Lin ◽  
Amy Binggeli-Vallarta ◽  
Griselda Cervantes ◽  
Janette Angulo ◽  
Jamie S. Moody ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Latino Children ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Obesity Research

Given the widespread use of out-of-home child care in the United States, early care and education (ECE) providers offer ideal settings to promote health behaviors among Hispanic/Latino children whose obesity prevalence remains high. This study details the process evaluation of ECE intervention strategies of a childhood obesity research demonstration study (California Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration [CA-CORD]) to prevent and control obesity among Hispanic/Latino children aged 2 to 12 years. Participating ECE providers received the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) materials and action planning sessions with a trained interventionist; Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) physical activity (PA), health behavior, and body mass index assessment trainings; and health behavior toolkit, cooking kit, water dispensers, and posters to promote healthy eating, PA, water consumption, and quality sleep. Intervention logs and director/lead teacher interviews evaluated how well 14 center-based and 9 private ECE providers implemented policy, system, and environmental changes. NAP SACC was implemented with higher fidelity than other strategies, and participation in SPARK trainings was lower than health behavior trainings. ECE directors/lead teachers reported that the intervention activities and materials helped them promote the targeted behaviors, especially PA. Results demonstrated that the use of NAP SACC, trainings, and toolkit had high fidelity and were potentially replicable for implementation in ECE settings among Hispanic/Latino communities.

scholarly journals The Healthy Children, Strong Families 2 (HCSF2) Randomized Controlled Trial Improved Healthy Behaviors in American Indian Families with Young Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily J Tomayko ◽  
Ronald J Prince ◽  
Kate A Cronin ◽  
KyungMann Kim ◽  
Tassy Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Home Based

ABSTRACT Background American Indian (AI) families experience a disproportionate risk of obesity due to a number of complex reasons, including poverty, historic trauma, rural isolation or urban loss of community connections, lack of access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities, and high stress. Home-based obesity prevention interventions are lacking for these families. Objective Healthy Children, Strong Families 2 (HCSF2) was a randomized controlled trial of a healthy lifestyle promotion/obesity prevention intervention for AI families. Methods Four hundred and fifty dyads consisting of an adult primary caregiver and a child ages 2 to 5 y from 5 AI communities were randomly assigned to a monthly mailed healthy lifestyle intervention toolkit (Wellness Journey) with social support or to a child safety control toolkit (Safety Journey) for 1 y. The Wellness Journey toolkit targeted increased fruit/vegetable (F/V) intake and physical activity, improved sleep, decreased added sugar intake and screen time, and improved stress management (adults only). Anthropometrics were collected, and health behaviors were assessed via survey at baseline and at the end of Year 1. Adults completed surveys for themselves and the participating child. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess change over the intervention period. Results Significant improvements to adult and child healthy diet patterns, adult F/V intake, adult moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, home nutrition environment, and adult self-efficacy for health behavior change were observed in Wellness Journey compared with Safety Journey families. No changes were observed in adult body mass index (BMI), child BMI z-score, adult stress measures, adult/child sleep and screen time, or child physical activity. Qualitative feedback suggests the intervention was extremely well-received by both the families and our community partners across the 5 participating sites. Conclusions This multi-site community-engaged intervention addressed key gaps regarding family home-based approaches for early obesity prevention in AI communities and showed several significant improvements in health behaviors. Multiple communities are working to sustain intervention efforts. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01776255.

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