Recently I read an article discussing a study that found how children in daycare may be more likely to be overweight than kids who stay at home with parents during the toddler and preschool years. Definitely more research is needed and I don’t want to alarm parents whose kids are in daycare. (Also, full disclosure: I have not read the original study as I do not have access to it). Regardless how well-grounded this study is, I believe this phenomenon depends on many factors, including:
- The type of daycare (a private home or a large center)
- The meal and snack structure offered at the daycare
- The opportunities for physical activity available to kids at the daycare
- The daycare’s individual policies
- How many hours the kids spend in daycare per week
- How busy the parents are
- The structure of meals and snacks at home and at the daycare
- How often the parents feed their families fast food and frozen dinners
- How much the parents exercise themselves
- How often the parents take their kids out to play
- The genetic background of the child
- How much total screen time the kids get
And I’m sure there are many other factors that I missed. In other words, I wouldn’t blame daycare on its own.
8 things you can do to promote good health if your child is in daycare
1. Plan your meals for the week. This takes a small amount of time but it is worth it because it can save you time in the long run, and it makes meals much healthier. It can save you from having to scrounge for food when you get home in the evenings, hungry and tired. See my previous post for more ideas on meal planning.
2. Take the time every few days, or every day, to cut up some raw veggies or fruits and set them out at meal and snack time.
3. Plan some physical activity into your week. If you and your kids have a day off together, make a point to do something active. If you have some time before or after work on a workday, try going for a walk with your kids, or doing some active “horseplay” at home. Even a few minutes is better than nothing!
Silly dancing in the kitchen
4. When you have time for recreation, make it something active.
5. Enroll your kids in soccer, swimming, or dance, or something else that keeps them active and occupied. Make sure it is something that suits their personality and skills. If they are a little hesitant, you could try practicing with them so they can become more skilled and confident.
6. Ask your daycare to provide some opportunities for physical activity every day. Even if the daycare is in a home and there is not much room to play, kids can still be active by learning how to hop on one foot, do jumping jacks, do some silly dancing to music, or going up and down stairs. Larger centers can provide room to run, ride trikes, and play active games. Stay involved and find out every day what activities your child has done, and for how long.
7. Find out what the meal and snack structure is like at your child’s daycare. There are some government regulations for food, but this depends on where you live and the type of daycare. Ask questions so that you know what food your child is eating, and how often. Check out my previous post on regulations for food in daycares in Ontario.
8. If you send food with your child, make it nutritious. Make sure you always provide sources of protein and grain, as well as fruits and veggies, particularly if your child will be at daycare all day. Check out these previous posts for snack ideas and for lunch ideas.
A note about weight
I can’t help but add this note: weight should not be the major focus. Concentrate on the types of foods your child eats, as well as the timing of meals and snacks, and the amount of physical activity she gets. Those things are important for everyone, regardless of weight.
Image courtesy of Stoonn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
