Family Child Care Providers' Self-perceived Role in Obesity Prevention: Working With Children, Parents, and External Influences

ObjectiveTo describe the perspective and strategies of family child care providers (FCCPs) to reduce children's suboptimal weight trajectories.DesignIn-person, in-depth interviews with FCCPs.SettingFamily child care homes.ParticipantsSeventeen FCCPs caring for children 6 weeks to 9 years old; 94% caring for children paying with a state subsidy.Phenomenon of InterestStrategies of FCCP to reduce children's suboptimal weight trajectories.AnalysisConstant comparative method of qualitative data analysis.ResultsFamily child care providers described 3 core strategies: (1) improving children's behavior, (2) engaging and educating parents, and (3) leveraging influences external to their relationship with parents to effect positive change and to avoid parental conflict. These strategies were framed within their knowledge of child development, parental communication, and community services.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe findings suggest that FCCPs' role in obesity prevention may be framed within knowledge that may be commonly expected of a child care provider. Partnerships between public health policy makers and FCCP may reduce obesigenic environments by employing training and resources that link obesity prevention and child care provider expertise.