Jane D Lanigan1. 1. Department of Human Development, Washington State University-Vancouver, WA 98686-9600, USA. jlanigan@vancouver.wsu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between child care practices and child care provider knowledge and beliefs about their role in supporting children's healthful eating. DESIGN: Longitudinal design using survey and observation data from baseline and year 1 of the Encouraging Healthy Activity and Eating in Childcare Environments (ENHANCE) pilot project. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two child care providers from 45 child care settings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Child care setting variables included the feeding environment, nutrition education, and family communication. Child care provider variables were efficacy, knowledge, and misconceptions about child feeding; and the priority placed on supporting children's healthful eating. DATA ANALYSIS: Correlation and multiple linear regression were used to examine the association between variables. RESULTS: Models indicated that changes in efficacy and feeding knowledge accounted for a significant portion of the variance in nutrition education changes (R(2) = 0.59) and family communication changes (R(2) = 0.29). A reduction in misconceptions was significantly associated with improved feeding practices (β = .71; P < .01; R(2) = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Understanding child care providers' knowledge and beliefs regarding their role in children's healthful eating is an essential component of child care-based obesity prevention initiatives. Training should assess and address provider efficacy and misconceptions as well as educate providers about evidence-based practices related to child feeding, nutrition education, and family communication.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between child care practices and child care provider knowledge and beliefs about their role in supporting children's healthful eating. DESIGN: Longitudinal design using survey and observation data from baseline and year 1 of the Encouraging Healthy Activity and Eating in Childcare Environments (ENHANCE) pilot project. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two child care providers from 45 child care settings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Child care setting variables included the feeding environment, nutrition education, and family communication. Child care provider variables were efficacy, knowledge, and misconceptions about child feeding; and the priority placed on supporting children's healthful eating. DATA ANALYSIS: Correlation and multiple linear regression were used to examine the association between variables. RESULTS: Models indicated that changes in efficacy and feeding knowledge accounted for a significant portion of the variance in nutrition education changes (R(2) = 0.59) and family communication changes (R(2) = 0.29). A reduction in misconceptions was significantly associated with improved feeding practices (β = .71; P < .01; R(2) = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Understanding child care providers' knowledge and beliefs regarding their role in children's healthful eating is an essential component of child care-based obesity prevention initiatives. Training should assess and address provider efficacy and misconceptions as well as educate providers about evidence-based practices related to child feeding, nutrition education, and family communication.
Authors: Brittany R Schuler; Baylie Fowler; Diana Rubio; Sarah Kilby; Yan Wang; Erin R Hager; Maureen M Black Journal: J Nutr Educ Behav Date: 2019-06-19 Impact factor: 3.045
Authors: Rachel E Blaine; Kirsten K Davison; Kathryn Hesketh; Elsie M Taveras; Matthew W Gillman; Sara E Benjamin Neelon Journal: Child Obes Date: 2015-04-28 Impact factor: 2.992