, 2007). In addition, the focus of the NAP SACC program was on the environment and making necessary changes that are thought to impact behavior. Our study, like others (Benjamin et al., 2007a, Trost et al., 2009 and Ward et al., 2008), did not address the potential impact on weight in the children attending the centers at the post-test. Encouraging others who utilize NAP SACC over longer periods of time (e.g., NU7441 > 6 months) to observe more direct outcomes such as weight is warranted. This study has some limitations. First, child care centers had incentive to participate in this project with the grant funding provided for changes made to their center.

Second, while validity and reliability has been GDC-0941 chemical structure reported and published on the NAP

SACC, the large range in variability warrants hesitation. Third, the NAP SACC is a self-assessment, introducing the potential for some bias in responses. In addition, some center supervisors may not have scored as well on the post-test as they may have forgotten what they answered on the pre-test. Similarly, the enticement of the grant funding may have made supervisors more aware of their needs at the pre-test compared to six months later at the post test. Despite these limitations, these results provide insight into standard nutrition and physical activity practices in rural area child care centers. Child care centers are being utilized more frequently by many families. While centers are increasing in the numbers of children attending they are also being forced to comply with many state and federal guidelines. These guidelines often involve variables related to the nutrition and physical activity environment (e.g., foods served, time spent being active). Similar to schools, centers play an important role in the development of the child. The idea that the school environment is likely to influence

childhood obesity is well accepted (Story et al., 2006). However, only recently have child care centers and their environments received similar consideration. Tolmetin With the relatively recent development and implementation of the NAP SACC Program, it may be too early to determine the long term impacts on child obesity. However, the continued significant improvements that are being made to child care centers have promise in addressing childhood obesity. Considering the NAP SACC was developed, based in part on the Social Cognitive Theory (Glanz et al., 2002) which emphasizes the environment and its influence on behavior, we are encouraged by the positive changes seen at the center level. Additionally, this study has shown that rural child care centers, particularly those unaffiliated with school districts, have room for improvement in the areas of physical activity and nutrition. In addition, our results support the need for resources to assist rural child care centers in making these improvements.