scope:

A joint publication by American Academy of Pediatrics; American Public Health Association; National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education

The all-new Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education is the new set of national standards describing evidence-based best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and screen time for early care and education programs.

The standards are for all types of early care and education settings - centers and family child care homes.

These updated standards will be a part of the new comprehensive Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Edition.

Topics include:

• General nutrition requirements

• Meal and snack patterns

• Requirements for infants including supporting breastfeeding

• Requirements for toddlers and preschoolers

• Meal service and supervision

• Food brought from home

• Nutrition education

• Active opportunities for physical activities

• Outdoor and indoor play time

• Caregivers/teachers' encouragement of physical activity

• Screen time limits

• Policies on infant feeding, food and nutrition services, and physical activity