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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Australian Trainee Childcare Educators Regarding Their Role in the Feeding Behaviours of Young Children

Author

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  • Penelope Love

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
    Centre of Research Excellence, Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH), Sydney 2007, Australia
    School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia)

  • Melissa Walsh

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia)

  • Karen J. Campbell

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia
    Centre of Research Excellence, Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH), Sydney 2007, Australia
    School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia)

Abstract

Background : Early childhood (2–5 years) is acknowledged as a critical time for the establishment of healthy behaviours. The increasing number of children and amount of time spent in childcare provides strong rationale to explore the important role that childcare services and childcare educators play in influencing healthy eating behaviours of young children in their care. Methods : This study used a qualitative exploratory approach to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Australian childcare trainee educators’ regarding their role in the feeding of young children. Results : All participants agreed that feeding of young children was an important part of their role, but described challenges to the promotion of healthy eating and the adoption of responsive child feeding practices. These included personal beliefs and experiences with food, the bi-directional nature of child feeding, conflicting parental requests and/or unsupportive centre-based policies and procedures. Conclusion : Training about responsive child feeding practices within the childcare sector should include all childcare staff; aim to enhance relational efficacy and communication skills with parents; and empower childcare staff to lead organisational change. To support this, childcare centres need to provide coherent centre-based healthy eating policies inclusive of healthy food provision and desirable feeding practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Penelope Love & Melissa Walsh & Karen J. Campbell, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Australian Trainee Childcare Educators Regarding Their Role in the Feeding Behaviours of Young Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3712-:d:362462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chiara Mameli & Sara Mazzantini & Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, 2016. "Nutrition in the First 1000 Days: The Origin of Childhood Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-9, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau & Erica D’Souza & David Tipene-Leach & Boyd Swinburn & Sarah Gerritsen, 2022. "Healthy Food Environments in Early Learning Services: An Analysis of Manager Survey Responses, Menus and Policies in Regional New Zealand Early Childhood Education and Care Centres," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Sze Lin Yoong & Jannah Jones & Nicole Pearson & Taren Swindle & Courtney Barnes & Tessa Delaney & Melanie Lum & Rebecca Golley & Louisa Matwiejczyk & Bridget Kelly & Erin Kerr & Penelope Love & Emma E, 2021. "An Overview of Research Opportunities to Increase the Impact of Nutrition Intervention Research in Early Childhood and Education Care Settings According to the RE-AIM Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Pilar Ridao & Isabel López-Verdugo & Carmen Reina-Flores, 2021. "Parental Beliefs about Childhood and Adolescence from a Longitudinal Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Tanya Nieri & Arianna Zimmer & Jai Mica Vaca & Alison Tovar & Ann Cheney, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Research on Non-Maternal Caregivers’ Feeding of Children 0–3 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Alison Spence & Penelope Love & Rebecca Byrne & Amy Wakem & Louisa Matwiejczyk & Amanda Devine & Rebecca Golley & Ros Sambell, 2020. "Childcare Food Provision Recommendations Vary across Australia: Jurisdictional Comparison and Nutrition Expert Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Paulin Tay Straughan & Chengwei Xu, 2022. "Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Childhood Obesity in Singapore," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.

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