Research Projects Using Growing Up Data
Health-promoting environments in licensed childcare services and associations with body size at 4 years old: analysis from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal cohort
Publication Date:
2017
Lead Organisation:
Growing Up in New Zealand
Lead Researcher:
Sarah Gerritsen
Access Type:
Internal
Primary Classification:
Health and Wellbeing
Secondary Classification:
SCONE
This study explores the association between nutrition and physical activity environments (policy and practices) in Early Childhood Education settings with measures of overweight and obesity in 4 year olds. We hypothesise that there is a ‘protective’ effect of attending a health-promoting ECE service, which can be confirmed by lower BMI outcomes for children, when adjusting for family and home characteristics. This research provides important information for the government’s Childhood Obesity Plan, particularly informing health promotion strategies in early childhood education services.