title: Insights and implications for health departments from the evaluation of New York City's regulations on nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in child care centers.
abstract: In 2006, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, seeking to address the epidemic of childhood obesity, issued new regulations on beverages, physical activity, and screen time in group child care centers. An evaluation was conducted to identify characteristics of New York City child care centers that have implemented these regulations and to examine how varying degrees of implementation affected children's behaviors. This article discusses results of this evaluation and how findings can be useful for other public health agencies. Knowing the characteristics of centers that are more likely to comply can help other jurisdictions identify centers that may need additional support and training. Results indicated that compliance may improve when rules established by governing agencies, national standards, and local regulatory bodies are complementary or additive. Therefore, the establishment of clear standards for obesity prevention for child care providers can be a significant public health achievement.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th St, CN-46, Queens, NY 11101-4132. Telephone: 347-396-4234.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nonas
authors.affiliation: Public Health Institute, Oakland, California.
authors.forename: Lynn D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kettel Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk; D009043:Motor Activity; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water