Short-Term Efficacy of a Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Designed to Pair Feeding Content With Nutrition Education

Sheryl O Hughes; Thomas G Power; Susan S Baker; Karen V Barale; M Catalina Aragon; Jane D Lanigan; Louise Parker; Karina Silva Garcia; Garry Auld; Craig A Johnston; Nilda Micheli

doi:10.1089/chi.2022.0030

Short-Term Efficacy of a Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Designed to Pair Feeding Content With Nutrition Education

Child Obes. 2023 Jun;19(4):239-248. doi: 10.1089/chi.2022.0030. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
² Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
³ Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA.
⁴ Washington State University Extension, Tacoma, WA, USA.
⁵ Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA, USA.
⁶ Department of Human Development, Washington State University Extension, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁷ Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.

PMID: 35708621
DOI: 10.1089/chi.2022.0030

Abstract

Background: Family-based programs show considerable promise in preventing overweight and obesity in young children. However, dissemination is difficult because significant participant and staff involvement is required. This study examined the short-term efficacy of adding parental feeding content to a widely-used nutrition education curriculum for families in low-resourced communities comparing the influence of two delivery methods (in-class and online) on parents' feeding knowledge, practices, and styles. Methods: In this cluster randomized controlled trial, parents of 2- to 8-year-old children enrolled in the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) in Colorado and Washington were randomly assigned to: in-class nutrition education only, in-class nutrition education with in-class feeding content, or in-class nutrition education with online feeding content. Data from the 382 participants who completed both pretest and posttest assessments are reported in this study. Results: Multilevel analyses showed empirical support for the influence of the program on parents' feeding knowledge, practices, and styles. Online and in-class methods were equally effective in delivering feeding content in low-resourced communities. Consistent effects were seen across the two delivery methods for encouraging children to try new foods (p < 0.05), use of child-centered feeding practices (i.e., greater responsiveness, p < 0.05), child involvement in food preparation (p < 0.05), and understanding the number of presentations often necessary for child acceptance of a new food (p < 0.001). Location and language differences were seen across some constructs. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the efficacy of in-class and online approaches to feeding highlighting the program's positive effects on promoting healthy feeding behaviors for parents of children in low-resourced families. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03170700.

Keywords: EFNEP; childhood obesity prevention program; family-based; nutrition education; online delivery; parental feeding content.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Feeding Behavior
Health Education
Humans
Overweight / prevention & control
Parents / education
Pediatric Obesity* / prevention & control

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03170700