Parenting Techniques for Childhood Obesity

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Nilda Micheli, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Temple University

Must not be taking: Insulin

Disqualifiers: Food allergies, Autism, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

416 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how parenting can help children who are highly motivated by food develop healthier eating habits and prevent obesity. Researchers aim to find effective ways for parents to support these children in making better food choices, addressing the needs of those who may tend to overeat. The trial involves caregivers and children aged 4 to 5 years, focusing on families where the caregiver primarily manages the child’s meals. Families with children who have major food allergies, are on medications like insulin, or have conditions impacting food intake do not qualify for this study. As an unphased study, this trial offers families a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could lead to healthier futures for children.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but children using medications that affect food intake and growth are excluded from participating.

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional interventions for managing food motivation in children, which often center around dietary changes or behavioral therapy, the approach being studied in the Nurturing Needs Study focuses on the caregiver-child relationship itself. This method involves recruiting caregiver-child pairs and observing them over an extended period, which is unique because it aims to understand and influence the dynamics between caregivers and children directly. Researchers are excited about this trial because it could unveil new insights into how nurturing and relational factors impact food motivation, potentially offering a new avenue for interventions that emphasize the importance of caregiver involvement and interaction in shaping children's eating behaviors. This approach could complement existing methods by adding a relational dimension to the management of food motivation in young children.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer O Fisher, PhD

Principal Investigator

Temple University

Sheryl O Hughes, PhD

Principal Investigator

Baylor College of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

The primary caregiver is either Hispanic or Black, based on the individual's self-identification.

You have a household income at or below the poverty level, as defined by US government standards for WIC and Head Start eligibility.

You are between the ages of 4 and 5 years old when initially evaluated.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessment of dietary intakes, BMI, and food motivated behaviors

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Longitudinal Observation

Caregiver-child dyads are followed to assess food parenting practices and child outcomes

18 months

Periodic assessments (in-person and virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main observation period

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Measurement

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Caregiver-child dyads Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A cohort of 205 caregivers and 205 children aged 4-5 years at baseline will be recruited and followed longitudinally for 18 months.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Temple University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

321

Recruited

89,100+

University of Minnesota

Collaborator

Trials

1,459

Recruited

1,623,000+

Baylor College of Medicine

Collaborator

Trials

1,044

Recruited

6,031,000+