A program to help parents promote healthy eating in children at risk for obesity
A Positive Food Parenting Intervention to Promote Healthy Growth in Children at Risk for Obesity
This study is testing a 12-week program to help parents of kids at risk for obesity learn better ways to encourage healthy eating habits.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | State University of New York at Buffalo Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Buffalo, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06981429 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot intervention focuses on a 12-week program designed to enhance positive food parenting practices among parents of children at risk for obesity. The program aims to equip parents with tools to foster healthy growth and improve dietary quality through structured and autonomy-promoting feeding practices. The study will assess the feasibility and efficacy of the intervention by examining participant retention, changes in parent feeding practices, and improvements in both parent and child diet quality.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are parents over 18 years old with children aged 5-11 who are at risk for obesity and demonstrate low use of positive food parenting practices.
Not a fit: Patients who are not responsible for feeding their child at least 50% of the time or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria regarding their child's BMI may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could help reduce the risk of obesity in children by improving their dietary habits.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using positive parenting interventions to improve dietary habits in children, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
PARENT CRITERIA: Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> 18 years old. * Have a child between the ages of 5 - 11 who is at risk for obesity (child BMI percentile \> 85th) or parent it concerned about their child developing overweight or obesity * Low use of positive food parenting (Defined as: low reports of individual nutrition education/ knowledge OR reports low levels of structure, involvement, or encouragement in their food parenting practices) * Must be responsible for feeding their eligible child at least 50% of the time. * Fluent in English. * Have access to internet and a Zoom compatible device. Exclusion Criteria: * Age is \< 18 years old. Their child is determined ineligible (based on BMI percentile and age). * Does not report low use of positive food parenting (as defined above). * Is responsible for feeding their eligible child \< 50% of the time. * Not fluent in English. * Does not have access to internet and a Zoom compatible device. * On medication that could influence their eating or feeding behaviors. CHILD CRITERIA: Inclusion Criteria: * Their parent/ guardian is eligible and participating in the study. * Ages 5 - 11 * Is not current diagnosed with a clinical eating disorder (ED). * Is not on any medications, or have any conditions, that could influence the child's taste, appetite, or olfactory sensory responsiveness. Exclusion Criteria: * Their parent/ guardian is not eligible nor participating in the study. * Below the age of 5 and above the age of 11. * BMI percentile \< 85th and/or \> 97th. * Current diagnosis of a clinical eating disorder (ED) * Medications or conditions that could influence the child's taste, appetite, or olfactory sensory responsiveness.
Where this trial is running
Buffalo, New York
- State University of New York at Buffalo, South Campus — Buffalo, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Katherine N Balantekin, PhD, RD — Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Katherine N Balantekin, PhD, RD
- Email: knbalant@buffalo.edu
- Phone: (716) 829-5578
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.