In addressing the obesity epidemic, these authors examine state policies on children's diet and screen exposure in different child-care organizations across the United States. 

What researchers found: Child-care centers (CCCs) were the most heavily regulated for dietary requirements and physical activity followed by family or group child-care homes, and then small family child-care homes. Only 12 states had rules that limited the serving of food with low nutritional value. Thirty-six states required that children in CCCs have daily physical activity time. Most states and most settings set per-day limits for screen time (television, computer, video use).

Why we chose this publication: While school food and physical activity environments have been extensively examined, this study illustrates the need for policy-makers to recognize how state licensing regulations of child-care facilities may provide an effective opportunity to prevent childhood obesity. States with comprehensive obesity-related child-care legislation may serve as models for the majority of states with limited licensing regulations that target nutrition, physical activity and media use.

What researchers studied: The authors examine licensing requirements for three different settings: (1) child-care centers; (2) small family child-care homes; and (3) large family or group child-care homes.