Virtual coaching for mothers and caregivers to support healthy infant growth
Mothers and CareGivers Investing in Children: A virtual intervention to support healthy growth in infants and toddlers
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · NIH-11295476
A virtual coaching program helps mothers and caregivers learn responsive bottle- and breastfeeding and healthy feeding habits for infants starting at about 3 weeks old.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUSTIN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11295476 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be randomized to the MAGIC-FEED+ virtual coaching program or an attention control and receive coaching visits at 3 weeks and at 3, 6, 8, and 10 months. The program teaches responsive bottle- and breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and healthy feeding habits to support infant self-regulation. In-person assessments of growth, body composition, and child self-regulation happen at about 3 weeks, 13 months, and 24 months. The trial plans to enroll 266 predominately low-income and Hispanic caregivers to see whether early, virtual coaching influences later weight and eating behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Caregivers of newborn infants starting around 3 weeks old, especially families who are low-income or Hispanic and who can join virtual sessions and local in-person visits, are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Children beyond the infant period or families who cannot participate in scheduled virtual sessions or attend in-person assessments are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help infants develop healthier eating habits, better self-control around food, and lower risk of excess weight gain.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot implementation of MAGIC-FEED showed promise, and other responsive-feeding programs have produced encouraging short-term results though long-term effects on adiposity remain uncertain.
Where this research is happening
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN — AUSTIN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WIDEN, ELIZABETH MARIE — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Study coordinator: WIDEN, ELIZABETH MARIE
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.