4-Week Online Parenting Program to Support Healthy Habits in Preschoolers
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Theory-Based Intervention to Improve Parental Support for Preschool Children's Health Behaviors
Run by Sun Yat-sen University · NCT07458009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This 4-week online program tests whether teaching parents motivation, planning, and habit strategies helps them better support healthy behaviors in their preschool children (ages 3–6).
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sun Yat-sen University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 28, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 28, 2026 |
| Study ends | April 28, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07458009 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are parents aged 18 or older who live with at least one child aged 3–6, can read Chinese, and are willing to participate in a 4-week online program.
✕Probably not a fit
Those with severe psychiatric disorders, cognitive or language impairments that prevent completing materials, parents already enrolled in another structured parenting or health program, or those without Chinese literacy or internet access may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The program delivers a theory-based, 4-week online intervention for parents that integrates motivational, volitional, and habit-based techniques to promote child health behaviors such as physical activity, limited screen time, reduced sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and handwashing. Parents are assigned to either receive the program immediately or to a waitlist control group and complete online questionnaires before the program, right after the program, and one month later. The study measures changes in parents' motivation, planning, action control, and habit strength, as well as self-reported parental support behaviors and child health behaviors. Mediation analyses will examine whether changes in parental psychological factors explain changes in parenting support and child outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help parents build practical skills and habits that lead to healthier daily routines for preschool children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous parent-focused interventions targeting motivation and self-regulation have shown modest success in improving child health behaviors, but integrating habit-formation into this framework is less commonly tested and more novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Parent of at least one child aged 3-6 years * Living in the same household as the child * Aged 18 years or older * Able to read and understand Chinese * Willing to participate in a 4-week online intervention program Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder that may interfere with participation * Cognitive impairment or language difficulties that prevent comprehension of study materials or completion of questionnaires * Currently participating in another structured parenting or health behavior intervention program
Where it's running
-
Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nuoyan Lu
- Email: luny3@mail2.sysu.edu.cn
- Phone: +8618088834525
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.