Improving healthy eating practices in early childhood education settings
Official title: Testing an Adaptive Implementation Strategy to Optimize Delivery of Obesity Prevention Practices in Early Care and Education Settings
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-10912472 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $557,971 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA252113-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912472 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-5 years enrolled in early care and education programs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in early care and education settings or are older than 5 years may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swindle, Taren — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Swindle, Taren
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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.