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Early childhood educators have poor nutrition knowledge and could do with more resources and support to build this knowledge, according to a survey conducted by Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The survey of more than 1,740 early childhood educators from long day care, family day care and kindergartens across Queensland found only two per cent of those surveyed answered all 11 nutrition questions correctly.
Researcher Phoebe Cleland from QUT conducted the survey and said many early childhood education and care providers could do with more support to build their nutrition knowledge but that they may not be aware of this, with many of them saying they felt confident in this area.
"This mix of low knowledge with high confidence could mean the wrong nutrition messages are reaching children and families," said Ms Cleland.
The research showed that only 50 per cent of educators knew that red meat is one of the highest sources of iron, 37 per cent overestimated how many serves of fruit children aged 2-3 years need each day, and 55 per cent overestimated how many serves of dairy they need.
The good news is support is available to early childhood educators through the LEAPS (Learning, Eating, Active Play, Sleep) professional development program, which has so far been rolled out in more than 490 early childhood services, including 2800 educators and 33 000 children in the last three years.
DAA President of the Dietitian's Association of Australia Liz Kellett said early childhood education and care providers have a huge influence on the life long eating habits of children:
"Children's eating practices are being set for life in the early years, so early childhood educators have a wonderful opportunity to influence good habits and life-long health. They're on the ground talking to children about healthy and not-so-healthy choices, and also modelling healthy eating, so the potential to make a positive difference is huge," she said.
For more information on the LEAPS program click here.
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