Federal Nutrition Assistance for Young Children: Underutilized and Unequally Accessed.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) improves nutrition and reduces food insecurity among young children by helping cover the food costs for child care providers and families. This nationwide study evaluated the extent and predictors of the CACFP's utilization among licensed child care centers to identify opportunities for expanding CACFP nutrition support.

Methods

Administrative data from the CACFP and child care licensing agencies in 47 states and District of Columbia were compiled and geocoded for 93,227 licensed child care centers. CACFP participation was predicted using a multivariable Bayesian spatial logistic regression model in the sample of low-income areas to target CACFP eligible child care centers. Data were collected in 2020-2021 an

SUBMITTER: Andreyeva T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11000260 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature