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Childcare Food Provision Recommendations Vary across Australia: Jurisdictional Comparison and Nutrition Expert Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Alison Spence

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia)

  • Penelope Love

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia)

  • Rebecca Byrne

    (Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Centre for Children’s Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Amy Wakem

    (Nutrition Australia Vic, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia)

  • Louisa Matwiejczyk

    (College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Amanda Devine

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Rebecca Golley

    (Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Ros Sambell

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

Abstract

Early childhood is a critical stage for nutrition promotion, and childcare settings have the potential for wide-reaching impact on food intake. There are currently no Australian national guidelines for childcare food provision, and the comparability of existing guidelines across jurisdictions is unknown. This project aimed to map and compare childcare food provision guidelines and to explore perspectives amongst early childhood nutrition experts for alignment of jurisdictional childcare food provision guidelines with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG). A desktop review was conducted and formed the basis of an online survey. A national convenience sample of childhood nutrition experts was surveyed. Existing guideline recommendations for food group serving quantities were similar across jurisdictions but contained many minor differences. Of the 49 survey respondents, most (84–100%) agreed with aligning food group provision recommendations to provide at least 50% of the recommended ADG serves for children. Most (94%) agreed that discretionary foods should be offered less than once per month or never. Jurisdictional childcare food provision guidelines do not currently align, raising challenges for national accreditation and the provision of support and resources for services across jurisdictions. Childhood nutrition experts support national alignment of food provision guidelines with the ADG.

Suggested Citation

  • Alison Spence & Penelope Love & Rebecca Byrne & Amy Wakem & Louisa Matwiejczyk & Amanda Devine & Rebecca Golley & Ros Sambell, 2020. "Childcare Food Provision Recommendations Vary across Australia: Jurisdictional Comparison and Nutrition Expert Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6793-:d:415197
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Penelope Love & Melissa Walsh & Karen J. Campbell, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Australian Trainee Childcare Educators Regarding Their Role in the Feeding Behaviours of Young Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Chiara Mameli & Sara Mazzantini & Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, 2016. "Nutrition in the First 1000 Days: The Origin of Childhood Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-9, August.
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    1. Audrey Elford & Cherice Gwee & Maliney Veal & Rati Jani & Ros Sambell & Shabnam Kashef & Penelope Love, 2022. "Identification and Evaluation of Tools Utilised for Measuring Food Provision in Childcare Centres and Primary Schools: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1, March.
    2. Sze Lin Yoong & Jannah Jones & Nicole Pearson & Taren Swindle & Courtney Barnes & Tessa Delaney & Melanie Lum & Rebecca Golley & Louisa Matwiejczyk & Bridget Kelly & Erin Kerr & Penelope Love & Emma E, 2021. "An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.

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