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While children spend a substantial amount of time in school, more than half of kids aged 5 to 14 years are also spending time in a child-care setting. This is also an important out-of-home setting for preschool-aged children. This research brief outlines federal food programs and regulations that govern nutrition and physical activity in child-care settings—and what research has demonstrated about the nutritional quality of foods offered in child-care settings.
Age Groups: Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)
Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Child Care/Preschool, Food service, Fruits and vegetables, Head Start, Media, Nutrition standards, Physical activity, Snacks, Sugar-sweetened beverages
Focus Area: Early Childhood
Resource Type: Research Review
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October 2026
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