Tribally Affiliated Child-Care Center Environment and Obesogenic Behaviors in Young Children

Abstract

Background Childcare centers are an integral part of life for many families with young children. American Indian children are at elevated health risk due to higher levels of obesity and associated health behaviors. Objective Assess the childcare environment and children’s physical activity (PA) and dietary intake in young children attending tribally-affiliated childcare. Design Cross-sectional study Participants/setting 11 tribally-affiliated childcare centers across Oklahoma and 82 three-to-five-year-old children. Main outcome measures Classroom observations were conducted using the Environmental and Policy Assessment Observation to measure the PA and nutrition environments. Children wore an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer and lunchtime plate waste was observed. Statistical analyses Descriptive statistics, including mean±SD and frequencies, were calculated for the children’s behaviors and environment. Results The total environment score was 23.9±5.2 (max 43). The nutrition score was 12.5±3.1 (max 21). The PA score was 11.7±2.2 (max 22). The participants were (mean±SD) 3.8±0.1 years old, 55% male, 67% American Indian, and 38% overweight or obese. Accelerometers were worn for 5.9±1.7 hours, excluding naptime. Children accumulated 4.3±2.2 minutes/hour of moderate-vigorous-PA, 4294±1883 steps/day, and 12.1±3.7 steps/minute. At lunch, children were served 510±241 kilocalories, and consumed 387±239 kilocalories. Lunches consisted of 47% carbohydrate, 20% protein, and 33% fat. Total number of fruit and vegetables served were 2.9±1.9 and consumed was 2.3±1.8, while whole grains served and consumed were 0.3±0.4 and 0.2±0.4, respectively, and lean proteins served and consumed were 0.3±0.4 and 0.2±0.4, respectively. Conclusion This study describes obesogenic aspects of the childcare environment and identifies areas for improvement. Children did not accumulate adequate PA nor excessively consume kilocalories or fat. Children consumed multiple fruits and vegetables; however, more whole grains and lean proteins could be provided. Future research might investigate how the healthfulness of the childcare environment may be improved by counseling providers on nutrition and physical activity strategies to prevent obesity.

Fundamental motor skills, screen-time, and physical activity in preschoolers

“…Accelerometry data were processed using 15-s epochs, and valid wear time was considered to be at least 10 h of wear time for at least 3days. Nonwear time was established by 30 min of continuous 0 count per minute (cpm) 36 . Established cut points were used to classify SB and TPA (light PA, moderate PA, and VPA) and VPA based on the criteria of Pate etal.…”

Sociodemographic Differences in Young Children Meeting 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

“…Parents were asked that the accelerometer be worn continuously (24 hours) for seven days, with an additional day for familiarization (total eight days), and only removed for water-based activities. Non-wear-time was considered 30 minutes or greater periods of continuous zeroes similar to other studies, 22,23 and these bouts were removed. The data were analyzed using age appropriate cut points for 15-second epochs including moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) > 420 counts and 200 to 419 counts for light PA (LPA).…”

Exploring the Provider-Level Socio-Demographic Determinants of Diet Quality of Preschool-Aged Children Attending Family Childcare Homes

“…Most of the studies exploring what children eat in childcare, have been conducted in childcare centers [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. These studies found that there is room for improvement of their diet quality, in particular with regards to consuming high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars [25,26,28,36].…”