of studyA paper published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that children who received subsidized meals in child care facilities were 30% less likely to be food insecure at home and to be in poor health or poor health. They found that they were 39% less likely to have the condition and 41% less likely to be in poor health. They are more likely to be admitted to the hospital from the emergency room than their peers who ate meals provided by their parents while in care.
Researchers interviewed primary caregivers of 3,084 young children receiving ER or primary care in Baltimore, Boston, Little Rock, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia from 2010 to 2020. All children were between 13 and 48 months old and lived in low-income households. Receives subsidized out-of-home care for at least 20 hours a week. Most of the children qualified for her CACFP.
The majority of children (87.2%) had their meals and snacks provided by their center or childcare provider while in daycare, and 12.8% of children’s meals while in care were provided by their parents.
Overall, children who were fed by their parents were more likely to be born younger and with lower birth weight than children who were fed by child care providers. They were also less likely than their peers to be insured and less likely to have public insurance.
The study found no significant differences in children at risk of being underweight or overweight or whose parents had identified developmental risk factors.
Because the majority of children whose parents provided meals and snacks required special medical care, the researchers controlled for that factor in their analysis, including household food insecurity and child equity. Health showed that “the importance remains the same” when it comes to poverty. Researchers say this points to a “potential buffering effect of child feeding programs,” as previous research suggests that children with special health care needs are at higher risk of food insecurity. writes.
The researchers note that CACFP participation has decreased during the pandemic, noting that child care providers may have difficulty accessing CACFP funds.
Overall, the researchers concluded that the association between improved health outcomes and child care feeding “benefits young children, their families, and society as a whole.” They recommend policies that strengthen and expand access to programs such as CACFP.
