Helping parents support food motivated children
Official title: Deconstructing Food Parenting Approaches to Obesity Prevention for the Highly Food Motivated Child
Run by Temple University · NCT06111040 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different parenting styles can help parents of food-loving kids eat healthier and avoid gaining too much weight.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 416 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Temple University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 7, 2023 |
| Main results expected | October 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | November 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06111040 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are parents or primary caregivers of children aged 4 or 5 years who are primarily responsible for their feeding.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with children who have major food allergies, developmental disabilities, or other medical conditions affecting food intake.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This investigation focuses on understanding how parenting approaches can support healthy eating habits in children who are highly motivated by food, which can lead to obesity. The study will follow 300 caregiver-child pairs over 18 months, using advanced methods to assess food parenting practices and their effectiveness in preventing excessive dietary intake and BMI gains. By identifying specific strategies that work for these children, the research aims to fill a significant gap in the current understanding of obesity prevention in young children. The study will also differentiate between supportive and coercive parenting styles to better inform caregivers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide parents with effective strategies to prevent obesity and promote healthy eating in their food motivated children.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown success in family-based obesity prevention efforts, but this specific approach focusing on food motivated children is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Child ages 4 or 5 years at baseline; 2. Parent/ primary caregiver with legal representation (having 50% or more custody of child); 3. Parent/primary caregiver reporting primary responsibility for child feeding outside of childcare (being with child when they are eating at least two times daily); 4. Caregiver with a cell phone that can be used to send and receive text messages. If there is more than one age-eligible child in the family, we will ask the caregiver to pick the index child. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Parent/primary caregiver \<18 years of age; 2. Child history of major food allergies (e.g., peanuts); 3. Child medication use (e.g., insulin), developmental disability (e.g., autism) or medical condition(s) (e.g., diabetes) known to affect food intake and growth; 4. Foster child.
Where it's running
-
Temple University - Center for Obesity Research and Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer O Fisher, PhD — Temple University
- Study coordinator: Christina Croce, MS
- Email: christina.croce@temple.edu
- Phone: 215-707-8672
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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.