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- Title
Policy impact on sodium and fibre consumption of preschool children enrolled in regulated child care in Nova Scotia.
- Authors
Rossiter, Misty; Kelly, Erin; Mann, Linda; Kirk, Sara
- Abstract
Objective: Eating profiles of children in Canada are undesirable. Preschool settings are strategic environments to establish lifelong healthy eating behaviours. The Food and Nutrition Standards is a policy-level intervention aimed at improving the food environment and nutrition intakes of children in regulated child care in NS. The objective is to identify obstacles to policy impact through the focused exploration of sodium and fibre intakes of 3-5 years olds enrolled in regulated child care in NS. Methods: Four-day food records were completed for 71 children enrolled in regulated child care in NS. In addition, the child care centre directors responded to a qualitative questionnaire designed to capture feedback about the challenges they encountered in the implementation of the Standards. Results: The mean daily sodium intake was 1807 mg/d of which 46% was consumed in the child care setting. The mean daily total fibre intake was 15 g/day of which 53% was consumed in the child care setting. Thematic analysis of the questionnaires revealed a strong frustration with the limited availability of foods meeting the sodium restriction criteria outlined within the standards. Implications and Conclusions: Despite policy aimed at improving the food environment and nutrition intakes in regulated child care settings, sodium and total fibre intake levels represent >150% and <78% (respectively) of DRI recommendations for children. Qualitative data reflects influencing forces such as the current food system and social norms that represent barriers to change. Directed attention towards developing support systems that target these and other broad influ-encers are recommended to ensure the intended policy impact is realized.
- Subjects
NOVA Scotia; EVALUATION of human services programs; CHILD care; CHILDREN'S health; CHILD nutrition; DIETARY fiber; FOOD supply; MANAGEMENT; NUTRITIONAL assessment; NUTRITIONAL requirements; NUTRITION policy; QUESTIONNAIRES; SALT; SOCIAL values; QUALITATIVE research; THEMATIC analysis; FOOD diaries; DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice & Research, 2015, Vol 76, Issue 3, pe5
- ISSN
1486-3847
- Publication type
Article