In the 1990s, states began developing Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) as a structural approach to improve the quality of early care and education (ECE) programs. Nemours’ experience implementing obesity prevention efforts in nine states has demonstrated that QRIS systems may be leveraged to promote childhood obesity prevention in addition to school readiness and other child outcomes. The goal of this project is to examine opportunities to promote best practices for healthy eating, breastfeeding, and physical activity (HEPA) in state QRIS implementation. The Institute of Medicine Roundtable on Obesity Solutions, Early Childhood Innovation Collaborative serves as the Advisory Committee and expert consultants provide guidance to the project team. A survey of the 44 states and the District of Columbia that are implementing a QRIS will be conducted to gather information on implementation strategies (i.e., training, technical assistance, professional development) that promote HEPA best practices in ECE settings. Survey results will be analyzed to identify 10-15 states with promising strategies, and key informant interviews will provide data for the development of detailed case profiles. A final report will provide aggregated and disaggregated survey findings, state case studies, policy implications, and recommendations for the field.
State Quality Rating and Improvement Systems: Analysis of Strategies to Support Achievement of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Best Practices in Early Care and Education Settings
Start Date: June 2015
ID #: CAS020
Organization: Nemours
Project Lead: Julie Shuell, MPA
Age Groups: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
State: National
Focus Area: Early Childhood
Resource Type: Commissioned Research Project Summary
Keywords: Child Care/Preschool, Head Start, Nutrition standards, Physical activity
Related Research
July 2016
State Quality Rating and Improvement Systems: Strategies to Support Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Practices in Early Care and Education Settings
In the early 2000s, states began developing Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) as a structural approach to improve the quality of Early Care and Education (ECE) programs. QRIS are voluntary or required systems designed to reach large numbers of ECE providers, particularly those serving lower-income children receiving child-care subsidies. … More
November 2020
Reducing Digital Marketing of Infant Formulas
Breastfeeding protects against overweight and obesity, asthma, eczema, and type-II diabetes, and has long-term health benefits for women. The health benefits of breastfeeding are so valuable that in 1981, the World Health Organization established the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (WHO Code) that prohibits marketing infant formula to … More
November 2020
Effect of a Home-Visiting Intervention to Reduce Early Childhood Obesity Among Native American Children
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a brief home-visiting approach, Family Spirit Nurture (FSN), on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, responsive parenting and infant feeding practices, and optimal growth through 12 months post partum. This study was a 1:1 randomized clinical trial comparing FSN with an … More