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Research Article| Volume 52, ISSUE 7, P697-704, July 2020

Child Care Sites Participating in the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program Provide More Nutritious Foods and Beverages

  • Author Footnotes
    ⁎ K. Gurzo was affiliated with the Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Klara Gurzo
    Footnotes
    ⁎ K. Gurzo was affiliated with the Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Affiliations
    Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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  • Danielle Louhrine Lee
    Affiliations
    Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA
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  • Kyle Ritchie
    Affiliations
    Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA
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  • Author Footnotes
    † Dr Yoshida was affiliated with Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Sallie Yoshida
    Footnotes
    † Dr Yoshida was affiliated with Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Affiliations
    Social Policy Research Associates, Oakland, CA
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  • Author Footnotes
    ‡ E. Homel Vitale was affiliated with California Food Policy Advocates, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Elyse Homel Vitale
    Footnotes
    ‡ E. Homel Vitale was affiliated with California Food Policy Advocates, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
    Affiliations
    Child Care Food Program Roundtable, San Diego, CA
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  • Ken Hecht
    Affiliations
    Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA
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  • Lorrene Davis Ritchie
    Correspondence
    Address for correspondence: Lorrene Davis Ritchie, PhD, RD, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, 1111, Franklin St, 10th fl, Oakland, CA 94607
    Affiliations
    Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA
    Search for articles by this author
  • Author Footnotes
    ⁎ K. Gurzo was affiliated with the Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA at the time this study was completed.
    † Dr Yoshida was affiliated with Sarah Samuels Center for Public Health Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
    ‡ E. Homel Vitale was affiliated with California Food Policy Advocates, Oakland, CA at the time this study was completed.
Published:April 05, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.02.009

      Abstract

      Objective

      To compare food/beverage provisions between child care sites participating and not participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

      Design

      Cross-sectional survey administered in 2016.

      Setting

      Licensed child care centers and homes.

      Participants

      Child care providers (n = 2,400) randomly selected from California databases (30% responded). Respondents (n = 680) were primarily site directors (89%) at child care centers (83%) participating in CACFP (70%).

      Main Outcome Measures

      Meals/snacks served, and food/beverage provisions provided to children of age 1–5 years on the day before the survey.

      Analysis

      Odds ratios unadjusted and adjusted for the number of meals/snacks using logistic regression.

      Results

      Compared with CACFP sites, non-CACFP sites provided fewer meals/snacks; had lower odds of providing vegetables, meats/poultry/fish, eggs, whole grains, and milk; and had higher odds of providing candy, salty snacks, and sugary drinks. After adjusting for the number of meals/snacks, differences were attenuated but remained significant for meats/poultry/fish, milk, candy, salty snacks (centers only), and sugary drinks. Differences emerged in favor of CACFP for flavored/sugar-added yogurt, sweet cereals, frozen treats, and white grains.

      Conclusions and Implications

      Child care sites participating in CACFP are more likely to provide nutritious foods/beverages compared with non-CACFP sites. Child care sites are encouraged to participate in or follow CACFP program guidelines.

      Key Words

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