Physical Activity and Screen-Time Regulations in Childcare Centers - Aim 1

The EPAO instrument will be used, which is a comprehensive, day-long observation that objectively defines the nutrition and physical activity environmental characteristics of child care centers. To address the specific aim, only the EPAO variables related to physical activity and screen-time will be included in the assessment. Means, standard deviations, and Pearson correlations will be calculated to describe the sample and examine relationships among the environment subscales at baseline and follow-up. Differences in center characteristics (i.e. racial distribution) will be tested using t-tests and chi-square tests. Repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) will be used to examine change in the EPAO score overall. Higher scores indicate higher compliance with best practices.

A survey will be administered to the director of each childcare center to determine the following: awareness of the new policy; structured programs and/or field trips that allow children to be physically active (including number of times per day or week); if one or more community organizations support or provide physical activity programs at the center; whether or not the childcare center has policies regarding television viewing and computer use; amount of time allowed for free play; and amount of time spent outside.