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Identification and Evaluation of Tools Utilised for Measuring Food Provision in Childcare Centres and Primary
Audrey Elford1, Cherice Gwee2, Maliney Veal2
1School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
Insights
This review identified seven tools for measuring food provision in schools and early childhood education. The weighed food protocol is the most accurate for individual intake assessment.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children aged 2-11 years spend significant time in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and primary schools.
- These settings are crucial for influencing children's dietary intake.
- There is a lack of standardized tools for assessing food provision in these environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify and evaluate measurement tools used for assessing food provision in ECEC and primary school settings.
- To provide an evidence-based evaluation of identified tools.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Inclusion of publications from 2003-2020 that implemented, validated, or developed measurement tools.
- Critical appraisal of studies using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC).
Main Results:
- Eighty-two studies were included in the review.
- Seven distinct measurement tools were identified: Menu review, Observation, Weighed food protocol, Questionnaire/survey, Digital photography, Quick menu audit, and Web-based menu assessment.
- An evidence-based evaluation was conducted for each tool.
Conclusions:
- The weighed food protocol emerged as the most popular and accurate tool for assessing individual-level food intake.
- Further research is recommended to develop and validate tools for assessing service-level food provision.
Background:
Children aged 2-11 years spend significant hours per week in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and primary schools. Whilst considered important environments to influence children's food intake, there is heterogeneity in the tools utilised to assess food provision in these settings. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate tools used to measure food provision in ECEC and primary schools.
Methods:
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) was followed. Publications (2003-2020) that implemented, validated, or developed measurement tools to assess food provision within ECEC or primary schools were included. Two reviewers extracted and evaluated studies, cross checked by a third reviewer and verified by all authors. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) was used to critically appraise each study.
Results:
Eighty-two studies were included in the review. Seven measurement tools were identified, namely, Menu review; Observation; Weighed food protocol; Questionnaire/survey; Digital photography; Quick menu audit; and Web-based menu assessment. An evidence-based evaluation was conducted for each tool.
Conclusions:
The weighed food protocol was found to be the most popular and accurate measurement tool to assess individual-level intake. Future research is recommended to develop and validate a tool to assess service-level food provision.
