The relationship between practices and child care providers' beliefs related to child feeding and obesity prevention

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between child care practices and child care provider knowledge and beliefs about their role in supporting children's healthful eating.

Design: Longitudinal design using survey and observation data from baseline and year 1 of the Encouraging Healthy Activity and Eating in Childcare Environments (ENHANCE) pilot project.

Participants: Seventy-two child care providers from 45 child care settings.

Main outcome measures: Child care setting variables included the feeding environment, nutrition education, and family communication. Child care provider variables were efficacy, knowledge, and misconceptions about child feeding; and the priority placed on supporting children's healthful eating.

Data analysis: Correlation and multiple linear regression were used to examine the association between variables.

Results: Models indicated that changes in efficacy and feeding knowledge accounted for a significant portion of the variance in nutrition education changes (R(2) = 0.59) and family communication changes (R(2) = 0.29). A reduction in misconceptions was significantly associated with improved feeding practices (β = .71; P < .01; R(2) = 0.40).

Conclusions and implications: Understanding child care providers' knowledge and beliefs regarding their role in children's healthful eating is an essential component of child care-based obesity prevention initiatives. Training should assess and address provider efficacy and misconceptions as well as educate providers about evidence-based practices related to child feeding, nutrition education, and family communication.