Improving healthy eating habits in rural children through family childcare homes
Official title: Effectiveness of a Multilevel Rural Community Engagement Model for Improving Childrens Dietary Intake in Family Child Care Homes
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-11193934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping kids aged 0-5 in rural family childcare homes eat healthier by training caregivers to encourage good eating habits and teach children how to listen to their bodies when they're hungry or full.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $614,652 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD115951-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-5 years who are enrolled in family childcare homes in rural areas.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not enrolled in family childcare homes or those living in urban settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the dietary intake of children aged 0-5 years in rural family childcare homes. It aims to implement a community engagement model that empowers childcare providers to promote healthy eating habits among children. By using evidence-based practices, the project will train caregivers to model healthy food choices and help children recognize their hunger and fullness cues. The effectiveness of this approach will be evaluated through a cluster-randomized trial, ensuring that the methods are tailored to the unique needs of rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dietary habits and reduced obesity rates among rural children.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies have shown the feasibility and acceptability of similar community engagement models, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dev, Dipti Ashok — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Dev, Dipti Ashok
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.