Experts call for national approach to healthy eating in childcare

A recent study by members of the National Nutrition Network Early Childhood Education and Care (NNN-ECEC) found not all menu guidelines meet Australian Dietary Guidelines, especially in their recommendations for vegetables and discretionary foods.

The joint study included researchers from Deakin University, Nutrition Australia Victoria, Edith Cowan University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Flinders University who reviewed menu guidelines in all states and territories and looked at how these aligned with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Dr Penny Love from Deakin's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), which led the study, said researchers found many similarities, such as recommendations for grains and dairy foods, but there was inconsistency in two key areas.

"We found the recommendation for vegetables did not meet Australian Dietary Guidelines in four states and territories and only three states or territories recommended not feeding children discretionary foods," Dr Love said.

"This is very concerning. Only one in five two and three-year olds in Australia eat the recommended amount of vegetables each day; and almost a third of the total energy intake in this age group is from discretionary foods that are high in kilojoules, saturated fat and added sugars or salt."

Ros Sambell, from Edith Cowan University and Chair NNN-ECEC, said childcare services should not provide discretionary foods and drinks to children in their care.

"Providing less healthy options reduces the opportunity for children to eat more healthy food and, typically, discretionary foods cost more than whole foods, which makes them expensive as well," Ms Sambell said.

"Not only is early childhood a critical stage of growth and development but poor dietary habits flow into adulthood with associated weight gain and chronic disease."

Dr Love said with two-thirds of one to four-year olds attending some form of childcare, childcare services have a big role to play in ensuring Australian children are eating well and developing good food habits.

"The Australian childcare sector has a national accrediting body (ACECQA) and it makes sense to establish consistent menu guidelines across the country," Dr Love said.

"National menu guidelines would also allow for more consistent and cost-effective support and resources."