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A parent-based intervention to promote healthy eating and active behaviours in pre-school children: Evaluation of the MEND 2-4 randomized controlled trial
Skouteris, Helen Hill, Briony L. McCabe, Marita Patricia Swinburn, Boyd Busija, Ljoudmila
Skouteris, Helen
Hill, Briony L.
McCabe, Marita Patricia
Swinburn, Boyd
Busija, Ljoudmila
Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of studies evaluating targeted obesity prevention interventions in pre-school children. Objectives: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a parent-based obesity prevention intervention for pre-schoolers – MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition … Do It!) 2–4 on child diet, eating habits, physical activity/sedentary behaviours, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Parent–child dyads attended 10 weekly 90-min workshops relating to nutrition, physical activity and behaviours, including guided active play and healthy snack time. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6 and 12 months post-intervention; child intake of vegetables, fruit, beverages, processed snack foods, fussiness, satiety responsiveness, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and neophobia were assessed via parent proxy report. Parent and child height and weight were measured. Results: Two hundred one parent–child dyads were randomized to intervention (n = 104) and control (n = 97). Baseline mean child age was 2.7 (standard deviation [SD] 0.6) years, and child BMI-for-age z-score (World Health Organization) was 0.66 (SD 0.88). We found significant positive group effects for vegetable (P = 0.01) and snack food (P = 0.03) intake, and satiety responsiveness (P = 0.047) immediately post-intervention. At 12 months follow-up, intervention children exhibited less neophobia (P = 0.03) than controls. Conclusion: Future research should focus on additional strategies to support parents to continue positive behaviour change.
Keywords
child, healthy eating, obesity prevention, physical activity, pre-school
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Pediatric Obesity
Book
Volume
11
Issue
1
Page Range
4-10
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled