<i>Menu Planning for Childcare Centres</i>: Practices and Needs

Romaine, Nadine; Mann, Linda; Kienapple, Kim; Conrad, Bonnie

doi:10.3148/68.1.2007.7

Cited by 30 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Additionally, we found that high-fibre products such as whole grains and beans/lentils are not consistently included in childcare menus for pre-schoolers. In Nova Scotia, Canada, Romaine and colleagues (30) found that child-care centre menus did not consistently include beans, peas, lentils and other legumes; all items recognized as important sources of Fe, fibre, folate and protein. Given the number of meals Column totals may not add up to the total number of facilities observed (i.e.…”

Section: Food and Beverage Servingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Martyniuk

Vanderloo

Irwin

et al. 2016

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To assess and compare the nutrition environment and practices (as they relate to pre-schoolers) of centre-and home-based child-care facilities. Design: Using a cross-sectional study design, nineteen child-care facilities (ten centre-based, nine home-based) were assessed for one full day using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool (consisting of a day-long observation/review of the nutrition environment, practices and related documents). Specifically, eight nutrition-related subscales were considered. Setting: Child-care facilities in London, Ontario, Canada. Subjects: Child-care facilities were recruited through directors at centre-based programmes and the providers of home-based programmes. Results: The mean total nutrition environment EPAO scores for centre-and homebased facilities were 12·3 (SD 1·94) and 10·8 (SD 0·78) out of 20 (where a higher score indicates a more supportive environment with regard to nutrition), respectively. The difference between the total nutrition environment EPAO score for centre-and home-based facilities was approaching significance (P = 0·055). For both types of facilities, the highest nutrition subscale score (out of 20) was achieved in the staff behaviours domain (centre mean = 17·4; home mean = 17·0) and the lowest was in the nutrition training and education domain (centre mean = 3·6; home mean = 2·0). Conclusions: Additional research is needed to confirm these findings. In order to better support child-care staff and enhance the overall nutrition environment in child care, modifications to food practices could be adopted. Specifically, the nutritional quality of foods/beverages provided to pre-schoolers could be improved, nutrition-related training for child-care staff could be provided, and a nutrition curriculum could be created to educate pre-schoolers about healthy food choices. KeywordsNutrition Child-care environment Pre-school children Child-care staff practices Nutritious diets are integral to children's healthy growth and development (1,2) . Specifically, researchers have demonstrated a clear connection between children's nutrition and both their physical and cognitive health and abilities, inclusive of higher academic performance (3)(4)(5) . It is important for children to develop healthy eating habits at an early age, as research indicates that food preferences and dietary habits established during childhood can impact their habits in later life (6)(7)(8) . During the early years, children's eating practices are highly influenced by others, such as family members, caregivers and/or child-care providers (9) . Given the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, healthy nutrition practices are a key element to ensuring appropriate growth and wellness (9)(10)(11) .The child-care setting might serve as an ideal venue to initiate the development of pre-schoolers' healthy eating habits and facilitate a positive eating environment. With over half of Canadian pre-schoolers enrolled in child care (12) , coupled with the number o...

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Section: Food and Beverage Servingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Martyniuk

Vanderloo

Irwin

et al. 2016

Public Health Nutr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Romaine et al (2007) found that though the majority of individuals in charge of meal planning at childcare centres indicated using Canada's Food Guide ), few received nutrition training specific to young children. Indeed, while research has examined providers' beliefs, relationships with parents, and sources of nutritional information, research is limited in that most studies consider these factors in isolation.…”

Section: Early Childcare Providersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Government sources of nutritional information sent to providers have also been found to play a role in the nutritional environment of the childcare setting (Fees, Trost, Bopp, & Dzewaltowski, 2009;Romaine et al, 2007). Romaine et al (2007) found that though the majority of individuals in charge of meal planning at childcare centres indicated using Canada's Food Guide ), few received nutrition training specific to young children.…”

Section: Early Childcare Providersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Providers were asked whether they have ever received any information from the government regarding nutrition in the childcare setting and how useful they find this information to be. While much research has examined this level in terms of what nutritional materials are supplied to providers (Fees et al, 2009;Romaine et al, 2007), learning how useful providers perceive the information is much less commonly examined.…”

Section: Research Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, one of the most frequent recommendations gleaned from research with childcare providers has been the need to develop educational materials for providers regarding nutrition in the childcare setting (Fees, Trost, Bopp, & Dzewaltowski, 2009;Romaine et al, 2007) Romaine, Mann, Kienapple, and Conrad (2007) examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of those in charge of menu planning at childcare centres. They found that few had received nutrition training specific to young children, though most described consulting Canada's Food Guide (Health Canada, 2009) when planning menus.…”

Section: Early Childcare Providersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Childcare providers’ perceptions of food and mealtimes: A qualitative approach

Lynch

Batal

2011

Canadian Journal of Diabetes

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Menu planning practices in early childhood education and care – factors associated with menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines

Grady

Stacey

Seward

et al. 2019

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue addressed: Despite recommendations, early childhood education and care services do not plan menus in accordance with sector dietary guidelines. This study aimed to examine the following among Australian long day care services: (a) menu planning practices; (b) prevalence of menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines;and (c) menu planning practices associated with higher menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines.Methods: Long day care services within Hunter New England, NSW participated in a pen and paper survey assessing menu planning practices and socio-demographic and service characteristics. Two-week menus were assessed for compliance with sector dietary guidelines, based on the number of servings of food groups and discretionary foods provided per child, per day. Results:Staff from 72 services completed the survey and 69 provided their menu.Results indicated the service cook was fully responsible for planning the menu in 43% of services, and 57% had received written support to assist with menu planning. Service menus were compliant with an average of 0.68 out of six food groups and discretionary foods. In poisson regression models, a shorter menu cycle length (P = .04) and the receipt of training opportunities to support menu planning (P < .01) were significantly associated with higher menu compliance. Conclusions: Menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines is low among participating long day care services. So what? The implementation of practices such as shortening of the menu cycle and the provision of training opportunities may assist in the planning of menus that are more compliant with dietary guidelines in this setting. K E Y W O R D S childcare, diet, guidelines, menu, nutrition | 217 GRADY et Al. How to cite this article: Grady A, Stacey F, Seward K, Finch M, Jones J, Yoong SL. Menu planning practices in early childhood education and care -factors associated with menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines. Health Promot J Austral. 2020;31:216-223. https ://doi.

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Menu Planning for Childcare Centres: Practices and Needs

Abstract: The results will be relevant to nutritionists in the development of effective resources and training for childcare centre menu planners.

Cited by 30 publications

References 10 publications

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities

Childcare providers’ perceptions of food and mealtimes: A qualitative approach

Menu planning practices in early childhood education and care – factors associated with menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines

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