Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 3 to 5

Center-based childcare to help preschoolers from low-income families avoid unhealthy weight gain in summer

Official title: Efficacy of Center-based Childcare to Mitigate Unhealthy Weight Gain in Preschoolers From Low-income Households During the Summer

Run by University of South Carolina · NCT07583459 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether sending preschoolers from low-income homes to center-based childcare during the summer helps prevent unhealthy weight gain.

More Obesity & Overweight trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages3 Years to 5 Years
SexAll
Enrollment300 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of South Carolina
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbia, South Carolina)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 1, 2026
Main results expectedJune 30, 2030
Study endsJune 30, 2030
Registry record updatedJune 11, 2026
Trial IDNCT07583459 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are preschool children from low-income households enrolled in partner needs-based pre-K programs who attend summer care.

Probably not a fit

Children not enrolled in center-based summer care or those from households not meeting the target criteria may not experience benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Preschoolers from low-income households are at higher risk for rapid weight gain during summer months. This intervention partners with needs-based pre-K programs to provide center-based childcare during summer, aiming to promote healthy eating and activity routines. The study observes whether attendance at center-based care during summer reduces the likelihood of obesity or overweight by first grade. Enrollment requires participation in a partner needs-based pre-K program, with no additional exclusion criteria. The research is led by the University of South Carolina and conducted at its Columbia campus.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce summer-related weight gain and improve long-term weight trajectories for at-risk preschoolers.

How similar studies have gone: Previous findings indicate center-based care can lower obesity risk by first grade, but summer-focused trials in this population are limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children will need to be enrolled in a needs-based pre-K program in our partner organizations to be eligible to participate. No other exclusion criteria will be applied

Exclusion Criteria:

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Where it's running

  • University of South Carolina
    Columbia, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.