(P23-015-25) Physical and Mental Health of Early Care and Education Providers Serving Low-Income Communities

Objectives: Limited evidence suggests that the early care and education (ECE) essential workforce experiences a high burden of chronic disease and mental health concerns. This study described the physical and mental health of ECE providers working in childcare centers serving low-income communities and examined if provider health differed by center nutrition/physical activity environment quality.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using baseline data from ECE providers (n=161) who participated in a childhood obesity prevention trial conducted in childcare centers serving low-income communities in Maryland. Providers completed surveys assessing food insecurity risk, fruit, vegetable, and sugar sweetened beverage intake, height and weight (body mass index calculated), chronic disease history, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms (Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10); moderate-to-vigorous-physical-activity (MVPA) was assessed using 7-day accelerometry (n=87 subsample). We assessed center nutrition/physical activity environment quality using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation tool.

Results: ECE providers (13% administrators, 87% staff [teachers, aides]) were from 51 childcare centers across 10 counties; 46% had 10+ years of experience. Providers were mean age 39.4 (SD 13.3) years; 98% female; 55% minority race and ethnicity; 25% reported food insecurity risk. Providers engaged in < 15 minutes of MVPA/day on average and frequently consumed sugar sweetened beverages (46% often/everyday). Nearly half (46%) reported elevated depressive symptoms and 48% were obese. The chronic disease burden was low (9% hypertension, less for other conditions). Providers working in centers with higher quality nutrition/physical activity environments had lower BMI (28.5 [6.6]) compared to providers working in centers with lower quality environments (32.0 [8.7]).

Conclusions: Center-based ECE providers serving low-income communities experience a high burden of mental health, diet, and physical activity risk factors for chronic disease. The ECE workforce would benefit from health promotion interventions. Additionally, the contribution of center environment quality on provider health should be further investigated.

Funding Sources: NIH/NIDDK R01DK107761, HHS/HRSA T76MC00003, NIH/NIMHD P50MD017348