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- Title
Physical Activity and Nutrition in Early Years Care Centres: Barriers and Facilitators.
- Authors
Froehlich Chow, Amanda; Humbert, Louise
- Abstract
Physical activity and good nutrition are key components of healthy living and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Current research indicates that young Canadian children are not active enough for healthy growth and development (Temple et al., 2009). In addition their diets are lacking in fruits and vegetables, and excessively high in processed foods. Parents play a key role in establishinghealthy behaviours; however early years professionals also have a strong influence, as many young children spend a large portion of their day in child care centres. This study aimed to use an ecological framework to identify specific factors (facilitators and barriers) that professionals in urbanchild care centres faced when promoting physical activity and nutrition. Seven urban child care centre professionals participated in one on one semi-structured interviews, with questions developed around McLeroy's (1988) ecological model. Reported facilitators and barriers were categorized using the ecological model at individual level (i.e., intrapersonal) or social environmental (interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy) level. The classification of factors into distinct categories was important, as this information can aid in designing initiatives that target facilitators and alleviate barriers; in turn supporting Canadian children to establish health-promoting lifestyles and make healthy transitions from toddlers to adulthood.
- Subjects
PHYSICAL activity; DAY care centers; CHRONIC disease risk factors; CANADIANS; EARLY childhood educators
- Publication
Canadian Children, 2011, Vol 36, Issue 1, p26
- ISSN
0833-7519
- Publication type
Article