Gaps in Nutrition Policy Implementation in Childcare Centres in The Edmonton Metropolitan Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
28 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose: To describe (i) nutrition policies in childcare centres, (ii) the resources and processes used to enable policy implementation, and (iii) the association between policy implementation and childcare centres’ or administrators’ characteristics.
Methods: Between October 2018 and June 2019 a web-based survey that addressed nutrition policy, policy implementation, and sociodemographic characteristics was sent to eligible childcare programs (centre-based and provided meals) in the Edmonton (Alberta) metropolitan region. The survey was pretested and pilot tested. Statistical tests examined the relationship between policy implementation with centres’ and administrators’ characteristics.
Results: Of 312 childcare centres that received the survey invitation, 43 completed it. The majority of centres had a nutrition policy in place (94%). On average, centres had about 9 of the 17 implementation resources and processes assessed. Most often administrators reported actively encouraging the implementation of the nutrition policy (n = 35; 87%) and least often writing evaluation reports of the implementation of the nutrition policy (n = 9; 22%). Administrator’s education level was associated with implementation total score (p = 0.009; Kruskal-Wallis).
Conclusion: Most childcare centres had a nutrition policy in place, but many lacked resources and processes to enable policy implementation. Additional support is required to improve nutrition policy development and implementation.
Résumé
Objectif. Décrire (i) les politiques de nutrition de centres de la petite enfance, (ii) les ressources et processus utilisés pour permettre la mise en œuvre des politiques et (iii) l’association entre la mise en œuvre des politiques et les caractéristiques des centres ou des administrateurs.
Méthodes. Entre octobre 2018 et juin 2019, un sondage Web portant sur les politiques de nutrition, la mise en œuvre des politiques et les caractéristiques sociodémographiques a été envoyé aux programmes de garde d’enfants admissibles (en centre et avec repas fournis) dans la région métropolitaine d’Edmonton (Alberta). Le sondage a fait l’objet d’un prétest et d’un essai pilote. Des tests statistiques ont permis d’examiner la relation entre la mise en œuvre des politiques et les caractéristiques des centres et des administrateurs.
Résultats. Sur les 312 centres de la petite enfance invités à répondre au sondage, 43 l’ont fait. La majorité des centres avaient une politique de nutrition en place (94 %). En moyenne, environ 9 des 17 ressources et processus de mise en œuvre des centres ont été évalués. Les administrateurs ont déclaré le plus souvent encourager activement la mise en œuvre de la politique de nutrition (n = 35; 87 %) et le moins souvent rédiger des rapports d’évaluation de la mise en œuvre de la politique de nutrition (n = 9; 22 %). Le niveau d’éducation d’administrateur a été associé au score total de mise en œuvre (p = 0,009; Kruskal-Wallis).
Conclusions. La plupart des centres de la petite enfance avaient une politique de nutrition en place, mais beaucoup n’avaient pas les ressources et processus nécessaires pour en permettre la mise en œuvre. Un soutien supplémentaire est requis pour améliorer l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre des politiques de nutrition.
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Financial support: Personal funding for MRLV was provided by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and funds provided by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta. GDCB was supported by an Alberta Health Services Chair in Obesity Research.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 83 • Number 1 • March 2022
Pages: 17 - 24
Editor: Naomi Cahill Ph.D RD
History
Version of record online: 28 September 2021
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Marjorie Rafaela Lima DoValePhD, AnnaFarmerPhD, RD, RebeccaGokiertPhD, RPsych, GeoffBallPhD, RD, and KaterinaMaximovaPhD. 2022. Gaps in Nutrition Policy Implementation in Childcare Centres in The Edmonton Metropolitan Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
83(1): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2021-021
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