Abstract:
Objective To understand the current status of dietary management in infant and toddler childcare service institutions in Anhui Province, providing a reference for strengthening the supervision of dietary safety and nutrition in childcare service institutions and formulating relevant policies.
Methods A multi-stage stratified sampling method was employed to conduct a current survey in 359 childcare service institutions across 12 counties/districts in 6 cities in Anhui Province.
Results Among the 359 childcare service institutions, 94.4% managed their own canteens, while 5.6% outsourced canteen services or used unified distribution from group canteens. Non-profit institutions had higher proportions of obtaining food business licenses, establishing dietary committees, and displaying meal accounts than for-profit institutions (P < 0.05). Kindergartens with integrated nursery and nursery class had higher proportions of obtaining food management licenses, implementing certificate and ticket systems, establishing dietary committee, and displaying meal accounts than standalone nursery institutions (P < 0.05). Among the 359 institutions, 77.44% updated their recipes weekly, 55.71% used quantified recipes, and 38.72% conducted regular dietary surveys and nutrition assessments. The proportion of updating recipes, separating meals for staff and children, and conducting dietary surveys and nutrition assessments in rural institutions were lower compared to urban institutions (P < 0.05). Institutions with full-time health workers had higher proportions of formulating quantitative recipes and conducting dietary surveys and nutritional assessments than those without, (P < 0.05). Institutions where health personnel had medical degrees showed higher indicators in all aspects of children’s dietary nutrition management than those without medical degrees (P < 0.05).
Conclusion There are differences in dietary management among childcare institutions of different natures and different regions. It is necessary to establish a quality assessment and supervision mechanism for dietary management in childcare institutions, strengthen training and supervision of dietary nutrition in childcare institutions, and focus on increasing support and training for for-profit and rural childcare institutions.