Kim M Gans1,2,3,4, Qianxia Jiang1,2, Alison Tovar5, Augustine Kang3, Meagan McCardle3, Patricia M Risica3,4. 1. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. 2. University of Connecticut Institution for Collaboration in Health, Interventions and Policy, Storrs, CT, USA. 3. Department of Behavioral and Social Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. 4. Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. 5. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
Abstract
Background: Child care settings significantly influence children's physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) behaviors, yet less research has been conducted in family child care homes (FCCHs) than in child care centers. While a few studies have measured family child care providers' (FCCPs') PA practices, none have used observation to assess which specific evidence-based, best practice guidelines FCCPs met or did not meet, and no previous studies have included Latinx providers. This article examines FCCPs' adherence to PA and ST best practice guidelines using primarily observational methods with diverse FCCPs (including Latinx). Methods: We examined baseline data from a cluster randomized trial including surveys and observational data collected at the FCCH to assess whether providers met specific PA and ST best practices from the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results: Providers completed a telephone survey and participated in two full-day observations (n = 127; 72% Hispanic). Overall, only 4 of 14 PA and ST best practices were met by >50% of providers including: leading a planned PA class more than once a week; no ST during meal or snack; not modeling sedentary behavior; and providing families with information about children's ST. Best practices least likely to be met (<20% of providers) include: providing children with >60 minutes of outdoor play daily; providing children with >45 minutes of adult-led PA each day; participating in outdoor PA with children; participating in indoor PA with children; prompting and praising children for being active; and talking with children informally about the importance of PA. Conclusions: While FCCPs engage in some positive PA and ST practices, many providers do not meet best practice guidelines. There is a need for more research about how to overcome providers' personal and environmental barriers for meeting these guidelines as well as interventions and supports to overcome these barriers. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT0245645.
Background: Child care settings significantly influence children's physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) behaviors, yet less research has been conducted in family child care homes (FCCHs) than in child care centers. While a few studies have measured family child care providers' (FCCPs') PA practices, none have used observation to assess which specific evidence-based, best practice guidelines FCCPs met or did not meet, and no previous studies have included Latinx providers. This article examines FCCPs' adherence to PA and ST best practice guidelines using primarily observational methods with diverse FCCPs (including Latinx). Methods: We examined baseline data from a cluster randomized trial including surveys and observational data collected at the FCCH to assess whether providers met specific PA and ST best practices from the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Results: Providers completed a telephone survey and participated in two full-day observations (n = 127; 72% Hispanic). Overall, only 4 of 14 PA and ST best practices were met by >50% of providers including: leading a planned PA class more than once a week; no ST during meal or snack; not modeling sedentary behavior; and providing families with information about children's ST. Best practices least likely to be met (<20% of providers) include: providing children with >60 minutes of outdoor play daily; providing children with >45 minutes of adult-led PA each day; participating in outdoor PA with children; participating in indoor PA with children; prompting and praising children for being active; and talking with children informally about the importance of PA. Conclusions: While FCCPs engage in some positive PA and ST practices, many providers do not meet best practice guidelines. There is a need for more research about how to overcome providers' personal and environmental barriers for meeting these guidelines as well as interventions and supports to overcome these barriers. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT0245645.
Authors: Asheley Cockrell Skinner; Sophie N Ravanbakht; Joseph A Skelton; Eliana M Perrin; Sarah C Armstrong Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2018-03 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Kathryn R Hesketh; Esther M F van Sluijs; Rachel E Blaine; Elsie M Taveras; Matthew W Gillman; Sara E Benjamin Neelon Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-02-07 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Patricia Markham Risica; Jacqueline M Karpowicz; Tayla von Ash; Kim M Gans; Kristen Cooksey-Stowers; Alison Tovar Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-06 Impact factor: 4.614