Improving healthy eating practices in early childhood education settings

Testing an Adaptive Implementation Strategy to Optimize Delivery of Obesity Prevention Practices in Early Care and Education Settings

NIH-funded research Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-10912472

This study is all about helping young kids eat healthier in early care and education settings by using fun activities, role models, and a friendly mascot to encourage them to enjoy fruits and vegetables, while also making sure that the support given to teachers fits their needs.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Little Rock, United States)
Project IDNIH-10912472 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing children's diets in early care and education (ECE) settings through an intervention called 'Together, We Inspire Smart Eating' (WISE). The approach includes hands-on exposure to fruits and vegetables, role modeling by educators, positive feeding practices, and the use of a mascot to promote healthy eating. The study aims to optimize the implementation of these practices by tailoring support based on the specific challenges faced by ECE providers. By evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these adaptive strategies, the research seeks to improve the adoption of healthy eating practices in ECE settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-5 years enrolled in early care and education programs.

Not a fit: Patients who are not enrolled in early care and education settings or are older than 5 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dietary habits in young children, potentially reducing their risk of developing obesity and related health issues later in life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar interventions aimed at improving dietary habits in early childhood settings, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Little Rock, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.