Healthier eating and activity for young children in childcare
Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity
This program helps childcare centers put practical changes in place so children ages 0–5 eat better and get more active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child attends a local childcare center, the project may work with that center to introduce practical changes that support healthier eating and more active play for children aged 0–5. The center team partners with childcare staff, families, and community groups to adapt proven approaches so they fit each setting and promote equity. They will track how changes affect daily routines, food offerings, and physical activity, and use that information to refine what works. Successful practices will be shared across Massachusetts and beyond to help other programs support child health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children aged 0–5 enrolled in early childhood education programs, along with their families and childcare staff who support daily routines.
Not a fit: People who are not in early childhood programs (older children, teens, or adults) or those seeking clinical treatments for existing medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help preschool children eat healthier, be more active, lower future chronic disease risk, and reduce health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous early-childhood nutrition and activity programs have shown benefits in smaller trials, and this center aims to adapt and scale those approaches with an explicit equity focus.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cradock, Angie — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Cradock, Angie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.