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Background: Preschool years are an important time for shaping healthy eating behaviors. Childcare centers can be a venue for policy change for broad and sustained positive impact on healthy eating environment. The objectives of this study were to assess how self-reported current practices align with updated statewide childcare center licensing regulations in Colorado, US, and to explore correlates of adherence. Methods: Using a post-test only study design, a survey was sent to all full-day, licensed childcare centers in Colorado (N = 1,398) with a valid street or email address. The survey included questions on allowable food and beverages, mealtime practices, and perceptions of the updated regulations. Frequencies were calculated and logistic regression models computed for a composite score of each of these factors. Results: Respondents (N = 344) were mostly center directors, with over 8 years of experience, from urban areas. Compliance was high for most food and beverage criteria (over 90%) and all meal practices. One third participated in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and were more likely to comply with the state meal regulations than non-CACFP centers. Conclusion: Although our results show high self-reported compliance, a more thorough study of the policy process would provide comprehensive evidence on effective development, enactment, and implementation of these regulations.

Purpose Because of budget constraints, many school districts are reducing or eliminating sports programs. An alternative trend is to maintain programs but charge fees for student participation in sports. Fees may discourage participation and unfairly burden students unable to pay. The purpose of this study was to explore sports participation fee policies in US high schools among a national sample of athletic directors. Methods We developed a survey and sent it online or through postal service to a national sample of athletic directors (N = 3342) from a randomized list of US school districts. Descriptive statistics and multilevel regression models were computed comparing respondents from districts with and without policies, and those with and without fee waivers. Results We received 991 responses (response rate of 30%). Almost 40% (39.9%) reported participation fees for interscholastic sports, and 26% reported the likelihood of a policy within 5 yr. These policies varied; 32% charged fees per season, 26% per year, and 42% by sport. The average amount was $120. Most (78%) had waiver provisions. Lower-income districts had significantly lower odds of charging fees than higher-income districts, and when they did, they were less likely to have waivers. Conclusion Overall, respondents from districts with fee polices had significantly different perceptions of policies compared with no policy respondents. High schools are implementing a wide variety of sports participation fee policies, and majority of those with policies provide waivers for students unable to pay. There were significant differences by district income level. Further exploration on the extent to which these policies are influencing sports participation, especially among lower-income students, is needed.