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Maryland has one of the most diverse Latino populations in the country, many of which are children. Tens of thousands of Maryland children who attend licensed child care centers will enjoy healthier drink choices and activities starting next year, thanks to a bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed by Governor Martin O’Malley in May 2014.
The “Child Care Centers – Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Act” requires centers to provide healthier drinks to children in their care, better support mothers who are breastfeeding, and reduce non-educational screen time. Many of these standards are based on the successful “Healthy Child Care” program in Howard County.
In addition to Sugar Free Kids Maryland, the legislation had the support of both the Maryland State Child Care Association and the Maryland State Department of Education, which oversees licensed child care centers and will develop regulations to implement the new standards.
With one in three children classified as overweight or obese in Maryland and almost a quarter of teens being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes nationally, Sugar Free Kids is focused on enacting evidence-based policies to reverse these critical public health problems.
UPDATE: As of October 1st, 2014, the new child care center requirements are officially in place. Read more here.
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