The Potential Impact of Nutrition Education Courses Accepted by the Parent Aware Program on Nutritional and Physical Activity-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Among Childcare Providers and Preschoolers' Parents Whom These Childcare Providers Serve
Abstract
Recently Minnesota (MN) adopted Parent Aware, a childcare quality four star rating system. At the top-star rating, nutrition and childhood obesity prevention education is recommended. However, little is known of its impact on childhood obesity. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of Parent Aware towards nutrition knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of childcare providers and the parents they serve. A quantitative analysis was conducted using a survey in 2015. Seven hundred and seven childcare providers responded to the questionnaire. The parent survey had 123 responders. There were no significant nutrition knowledge, attitude, or behavioral differences between childcare providers who were part of Parent Aware and those who were not part of Parent Aware. There was a significant difference in nutrition offerings to preschoolers between childcare providers and parents. This study highlights the impact childhood obesity education is providing to all childcare providers.
Keywords: Childcare Provider, Parent, Preschooler, Childhood Obesity