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Menu planning practices in early childhood education and care – factors associated with menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines
journal contribution
posted on 2023-02-20, 04:02 authored by A Grady, F Stacey, K Seward, M Finch, J Jones, Serene YoongSerene YoongIssue addressed: Despite recommendations, early childhood education and care services do not plan menus in accordance with sector dietary guidelines. This study aimed to examine the following among Australian long day care services: (a) menu planning practices; (b) prevalence of menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines; and (c) menu planning practices associated with higher menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines. Methods: Long day care services within Hunter New England, NSW participated in a pen and paper survey assessing menu planning practices and socio-demographic and service characteristics. Two-week menus were assessed for compliance with sector dietary guidelines, based on the number of servings of food groups and discretionary foods provided per child, per day. Results: Staff from 72 services completed the survey and 69 provided their menu. Results indicated the service cook was fully responsible for planning the menu in 43% of services, and 57% had received written support to assist with menu planning. Service menus were compliant with an average of 0.68 out of six food groups and discretionary foods. In poisson regression models, a shorter menu cycle length (P =.04) and the receipt of training opportunities to support menu planning (P <.01) were significantly associated with higher menu compliance. Conclusions: Menu compliance with sector dietary guidelines is low among participating long day care services. So what?: The implementation of practices such as shortening of the menu cycle and the provision of training opportunities may assist in the planning of menus that are more compliant with dietary guidelines in this setting.
History
Journal
Health Promotion Journal of AustraliaVolume
31Pagination
216-223Location
AustraliaPublisher DOI
ISSN
1036-1073eISSN
2201-1617Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalIssue
2Publisher
WILEYUsage metrics
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Keywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthchildcaredietguidelinesmenunutritionMEALTIME ENVIRONMENTSNUTRITION PRACTICESFOOD PROVISIONCENTERSIMPLEMENTATIONSERVICESAUSTRALIAHEALTHAdultAustraliaChild Day Care CentersChild, PreschoolFemaleFood ServicesGuideline AdherenceHealth PromotionHumansMaleMenu PlanningMiddle AgedNutrition PolicyResidence CharacteristicsSocioeconomic FactorsNutritionPreventionClinical ResearchHealth Services4 Quality EducationPublic Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
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