Dietary Intake among Children Attending Childcare Centers: Impact of the New CACFP Meal Guidelines

Authors

Jayna M Dave
Tzuan A Chen
Maha Almohamad
Sonia Cotto-Moreno

Language

English

Publication Date

8-18-2022

Journal

Nutrients

DOI

10.3390/nu14163394

PMID

36014900

PMCID

PMC9414647

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

8-18-2022

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA (US Department of Agriculture) made the first major changes in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) meal and snack menu patterns. Childcare centers that serve low-income families qualify to participate and receive reimbursement for meals and snacks served. The purpose of this study was to assess what changes in children's dietary behaviors occurred as a result of the new CACFP meal pattern requirements. This study evaluated these changes at childcare centers operating in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, USA, areas enrolled in the CACFP, pre- (Spring 2016) and post-implementation (Fall 2016-Spring 2017) of the new meal patterns. Dietary intake was assessed via observations of children, 3-5 years old, conducted at breakfast, lunch, and snack times. Results showed improvements in adjusted means of several nutrients and food groups consumption, post-implementation of new CACFP meal guidelines compared to baseline, specifically intake of whole grains, milk, and juice. Additional studies are needed to confirm the impact of the revised CACFP meal patterns along with strategies to assist providers in meeting the new standards to increase the access to and intake of items in accordance with the CACFP meal pattern requirements in childcare settings.

Keywords

Adult, Child, Child Care, Child Day Care Centers, Child, Preschool, Eating, Food Services, Humans, Meals, Nutrition Policy, Child and Adult Care Food Program, meal patterns, early childhood nutrition, childcare, food policy

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Dave, Jayna M; Chen, Tzuan A; Almohamad, Maha; et al., "Dietary Intake among Children Attending Childcare Centers: Impact of the New CACFP Meal Guidelines" (2022). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 250.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/250