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- Title
Nutrition Knowledge and Perspectives of Physical Activity for Pre-Schoolers amongst Early Childhood Education and Care Teachers.
- Authors
Rapson, Jeanette; Conlon, Cathryn; Ali, Ajmol
- Abstract
Caregivers' nutrition and physical activity knowledge is recognised as being important for children's health and body size. Identifying knowledge gaps amongst caregivers may inform professional development and obesity-prevention strategies in childcare settings. This cross-sectional validated online questionnaire aimed to measure current early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers' nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers (2–5-year-olds) and related perspectives. Teachers' (n = 386) knowledge of nutrition was lacking: The overall score was 22.56 ± 2.83 (mean ± SD), or 61% correct. Increased years of experience significantly predicted an increase in knowing that national nutrition and physical activity guidelines exist (B = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.00–0.03], r2 = 0.13, p = 0.033). Teachers' increased agreement in feeling they were confident talking about nutrition to parents significantly predicted an increase in overall nutrition knowledge scores (B = 0.34 [95% CI, 0.06–0.63], r2 = 0.15, p = 0.019). The belief that ECEC teachers play a vital role in promoting pre-schoolers' healthy eating and physical activity was widespread. Common knowledge barriers included a lack of staff training, confidence, and resources. ECEC teachers may lack nutrition knowledge for pre-schoolers, particularly in regard to basic nutrition recommendations (servings, food/beverage choices, and portion sizes).
- Subjects
CHILD care; CHILD nutrition; CONFIDENCE; CONFIDENCE intervals; FOOD habits; HEALTH promotion; MEDICAL personnel; NUTRITIONAL requirements; PROFESSIONS; QUESTIONNAIRES; TEACHER-student relationships; TEACHERS; CAREGIVER attitudes; CROSS-sectional method; PATIENTS' families; PHYSICAL activity; COLLEGE teacher attitudes; WORK experience (Employment); DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Nutrients, 2020, Vol 12, Issue 7, p1984
- ISSN
2072-6643
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/nu12071984