More than 90 per cent of Australian childcare services are struggling to meet national nutrition guidelines, Newcastle researchers say.
With thousands of children eating up to half their daily food at childcare, change in the sector could foster long-term health gains.
Given this, a University of Newcastle research team is working on a new project with NSW Health to help childcare centres improve the food they serve.
However, achieving this is not necessarily straightforward.
"Many are probably unaware their menus aren't completely compliant with dietary guidelines," University of Newcastle behavioural scientist Luke Wolfenden said.
"We're trying to nudge the trajectory of children at a population level to reduce the overall risk of chronic disease in the future," Professor Wolfenden said.
"Even increasing the serves of vegetables being provided to kids would be an important outcome."
In Hunter New England, only 6.4 per cent of children meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables. About 64 per cent meet the recommended daily fruit intake.
By the time children are toddlers, about a third of their diet is often junk food, which can lead to chronic disease in future.
Professor Wolfenden, of HMRI's Population Health Research program, said improving children's diets early in life was a "powerful way to protect long-term health".
"Diet in early childhood shapes lifelong eating habits and has a major influence on the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers later in life," Professor Wolfenden said.
He said the project was aiming for "healthy menus that don't necessarily require expensive ingredients".
"Childcare services and cooks are trying hard to implement nutrition guidelines, but it's complicated," he said.
"They're looking after a large number of kids, often with different dietary requirements.
"The criteria for servings of fruits and vegetables changes as children age."
University of Newcastle Associate Professor Rachel Sutherland said the program aimed to support early childhood services across the state to "design their menus so they align with nutrition guidelines".
"It's super important because it's a formative time in young people's eating habits," said Dr Sutherland, who is also with HMRI.
"A large number of children spend a lot of time in childcare."
Research shows parents want better quality food in childcare and support to improve their children's diet.
About 70 per cent of long-day childcare services across NSW provide food to children while they're in care.
"That food should provide about 50 per cent of a child's daily nutrition intake," said Dr Sutherland, who is a dietitian.
"The combinations of food and food groups are really important."
She said a number of factors were challenging for childcare services.
"Budget is definitely one. Finding food that children enjoy and like is another," she said.
"There's a lot of knowledge that's expected of a childcare cook and service. They're balancing dietary requirements, allergies and the cost of food."
The project will be funded by a $4.9 million Medical Research Future Fund grant, awarded through the federal Department of Health and Aged Care.
