Sarah Gerritsen1, Sarah E Anderson2, Susan Mb Morton3, Clare R Wall4. 1. 1School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,University of Auckland,Private Bag 92019,Auckland,New Zealand. 2. 2College of Public Health,The Ohio State University,Columbus,OH,USA. 3. 3Centre for Longitudinal Research,University of Auckland,Auckland,New Zealand. 4. 4Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,University of Auckland,Auckland,New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pre-school nutrition-related behaviours influence diet and development of lifelong eating habits. We examined the prevalence and congruence of recommended nutrition-related behaviours (RNB) in home and early childhood education (ECE) services, exploring differences by child and ECE characteristics. DESIGN: Telephone interviews with mothers. Online survey of ECE managers/head teachers. SETTING: New Zealand. SUBJECTS: Children (n 1181) aged 45 months in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study. RESULTS: A mean 5·3 of 8 RNB were followed at home, with statistical differences by gender and ethnic group, but not socio-economic position. ECE services followed a mean 4·8 of 8 RNB, with differences by type of service and health-promotion programme participation. No congruence between adherence at home and in ECE services was found; half of children with high adherence at home attended a service with low adherence. A greater proportion of children in deprived communities attended a service with high adherence, compared with children living in the least deprived communities (20 and 12 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Children, across all socio-economic positions, may not experience RNB at home. ECE settings provide an opportunity to improve or support behaviours learned at home. Targeting of health-promotion programmes in high-deprivation areas has resulted in higher adherence to RNB at these ECE services. The lack of congruence between home and ECE behaviours suggests health-promotion messages may not be effectively communicated to parents/family. Greater support is required across the ECE sector to adhere to RNB and promote wider change that can reach into homes.
OBJECTIVE: Pre-school nutrition-related behaviours influence diet and development of lifelong eating habits. We examined the prevalence and congruence of recommended nutrition-related behaviours (RNB) in home and early childhood education (ECE) services, exploring differences by child and ECE characteristics. DESIGN: Telephone interviews with mothers. Online survey of ECE managers/head teachers. SETTING: New Zealand. SUBJECTS:Children (n 1181) aged 45 months in the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study. RESULTS: A mean 5·3 of 8 RNB were followed at home, with statistical differences by gender and ethnic group, but not socio-economic position. ECE services followed a mean 4·8 of 8 RNB, with differences by type of service and health-promotion programme participation. No congruence between adherence at home and in ECE services was found; half of children with high adherence at home attended a service with low adherence. A greater proportion of children in deprived communities attended a service with high adherence, compared with children living in the least deprived communities (20 and 12 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Children, across all socio-economic positions, may not experience RNB at home. ECE settings provide an opportunity to improve or support behaviours learned at home. Targeting of health-promotion programmes in high-deprivation areas has resulted in higher adherence to RNB at these ECE services. The lack of congruence between home and ECE behaviours suggests health-promotion messages may not be effectively communicated to parents/family. Greater support is required across the ECE sector to adhere to RNB and promote wider change that can reach into homes.
Authors: Dorota Zarnowiecki; Shabnam Kashef; Astrid Am Poelman; Maeva O Cochet-Broch; Jennifer C Arguelles; David N Cox; Rebecca K Golley Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-12-02 Impact factor: 2.692