Healthiest Weight

Florida:

Early Care &

Education Centers

Essential Partners In Becoming The Healthiest State In The Nation

Date Monday, February 6, 2017

Presenter: Heather Kretzer, DOH-Bay

Healthiest Weight Florida

Healthiest Weight Florida

(HWF) is a public-private

collaboration bringing

together state agencies,

not for profit organizations,

businesses, and entire

communities to help

Florida's children and

adults make choices about

healthy eating and active

living.

Strategies

1. Integrate physical activity every day in every way

2. Make healthy food available everywhere

3. Strengthen schools as the heart of health

4. Empower employers to provide healthy worksites

5. Market what matters for a healthy life

Collective Impact

6 Healthy Places

Birthing Facilities

Early Care &

Education Centers

Schools

Worksites

Health Care

Settings

Communities

Adding Value

ECEs are Valuable to Health

Healthy habits that start during the preschool years can last a lifetime

Most young children spend time in early care and education (ECE)

centers, family child care settings or in preschool

Providers have a unique opportunity to help children develop a

foundation of healthy habits for life

Health is Valuable to ECEs

Health behaviors are associated with academic achievement

Healthy students and school staff have better attendance

Adding Value

Currently, in the US

41% of children aged 0-5 and 64% of children aged 3-5 yeas cared for each week in non-parental care arrangements, such as childcare centers, family childcare homes, pre-kindergarten classrooms, etc.

Despite declines in obesity among young children, about 1 in 4 children aged 2-5 are overweight or have obesity

Children who are overweight when they enter kindergarten are 4× more likely to have obesity in 8th grade compared to their peers who are at a normal weight

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/early-care-education-report.pdf

Adding Value

In 2011

Nearly all children (97%) in Florida ages 1 to 5 watched TV or played

video games daily

1 out of 9 watched TV or played video games four or more hours daily

More than 1 out of 8 low-income children ages 2 to 4 were obese in

Florida

Sources: National Survey of Children’s Health, 2011/12Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008–2011

ECE Goal

Increase the number of Early Care and Education Centers implementing

best practices related to physical activity and nutrition.

Two Best Practices Models:

Let’s Move! Child Care

5-2-1-0

Best Practices

Let’s Move! Child Care

Best practices established in partnership with Nemours Children’s

Health System and supported by the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC)

Intended for all types of programs including family child care homes,

Head Start programs, preschools and faith based programs

Best Practices

Nurture Healthy Eaters

Family Style-dining

Make nutrition fun and

engaging

Serve a fruit and/or

vegetable at every meal

Limit fried foods

Best Practices

Provide Healthy Beverages

Water and milk are the best choices

Have water visible and available both inside and outside for

self-serve

Serve whole milk only to children between one and two years

old

At two years old, serve only low fat (1%) or reduced fat (2%) milk

Limit juice and NO sugary drinks

Best Practices

Get Kids Moving

Babies: tummy time 2-3

times per day

Toddlers: 60+ minutes of

active play time every day

Preschoolers:120+

minutes of active play

time every day

Best Practices

Reduce Screen Time

Limiting screen time is key for healthy development and

staying active

Screen time should be limited to no more than 30 minutes a

week while in child care

NO screen time for children under age two

Best Practices

Support Breastfeeding

Provide breastfeeding mothers access to a designated area,

other than a bathroom, for breastfeeding or pumping with

appropriate seating and privacy

Recognition

Let’s Move! Child Care

Overview

Recognized providers meet best practices in five healthy goal areas

Qualifying centers receive a certificate of completion and recognition

on the national map

Rolling recognition opportunity

Recognition

Let’s Move! Child Care

Where to Begin

Sign up for Lets Move! Child Care

Take the online quiz

Make an action plan

Monitor your progress

Get on the map

LMCC Recognition Map

Retrieved 09/13/2016*

Other Best Practices Model

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A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals,

important for supporting growth and development, and for optimal

immune function in children.

Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when you present

them in fun, creative ways.

Limit unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations.

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Young children who spend less time watching TV tend to do better in

school, have a healthier diet, and are more physically active when

they are older.

Too much screen time puts kids at risk for lower reading scores,

attention problems, and problems learning.

Prohibit screen time for children under the age of 2.

For children 2 and older, aim to use screen time for educational

purposes only.

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Active kids tend to be healthier kids, and healthier kids are better

learners

Regular physical activity reduces feelings of anxiety, stress, and

depression, and increases self-esteem.

Physical activity has immediate and long-term benefits for everyone,

both young and old.

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Do not provide sugary drinks

Serve 100% fruit juice to no more than one 4-6 oz. serving per day or

do not serve at all.

Water provides a low-cost, zero-calorie beverage options and is a

healthy alternative to sugary drinks.

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Summary

Be a Healthy ECE Leader!

1. Adopt nutrition and physical activity best practices

2. Help your center achieve recognition!