Status of Beverages Served to Young Children in Child Care After Implementationof California Policy, 2012–2016

Abstract

Introduction Since 2012, licensed California child care centers and homes, perstate policy, are required to serve only unflavored low-fat or nonfatmilk to children aged 2 years or older, no more than oneserving of 100% juice daily, and no beverages with addedsweeteners, and they are required to ensure that drinking water isreadily accessible throughout the day. We evaluated adherence tothe policy after 4 years in comparison to the adherence evaluationconducted shortly after the policy went into effect. Methods Licensed California child care sites were randomly selected in2012 and 2016 and surveyed about beverage practices and provisionsto children aged 1–5 years. We used logistic regression toanalyze between-year differences for all sites combined and within-year differences by site type and participation in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in self-reportedpolicy adherence and beverage provisions. Results Respondents in 2016 (n = 680), compared with those in 2012 (n =435), were more adherent to California's 2010 Healthy Beveragesin Child Care Act overall (45.1% vs 27.2%, P < .001) and with individualprovisions for milk (65.0% vs 41.4%, P < .001), 100%juice (91.2% vs 81.5%, P < .001), and sugar-sweetened beverages(97.4% vs 93.4%, P = .006). In 2016, centers compared withhomes (48.5% vs 28.0%, P = .001) and CACFP sites comparedwith non-CACFP sites (51.6% vs 27.9%, P < .001) were more adherentto AB2084 overall. Discussion Beverage policy adherence in California child care has improvedsince 2012 and is higher in CACFP sites and centers. Additionalpolicy promotion and implementation support is encouraged fornon-CACFP sites and homes. Other states should consider adoptingsuch policies.