Childcare

NPI’s research in the childcare field focuses on early interventions among at-risk preschoolers, prior to the onset of unhealthy eating habits and sedentary patterns. Our work in this area has primarily focused on understanding the foods and beverages available in childcare settings and working to improve nutritional quality of foods and beverages served to preschoolers. Many children in this age group are in licensed day care during all or part of each week, making early childhood education settings an important environment for the establishment of a lifelong healthy diet and regular physical activity.