Feasibility and Efficacy of the "FUNPALs Playgroup" Intervention to Improve Toddler Dietary and Activity Behaviors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aliye Cepni,Christine Crumbley,Craig Johnston,Ashley Taylor,Tracey Ledoux,Daniel O’Connor,Debbe Thompson,Norma Olvera,Katherine Arlinghaus,Nancy Moran

doi:10.3390/ijerph18157828

Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility and effects of the Families Understanding Nutrition and Physically Active Lifestyles (FUNPALs) Playgroup on toddler (12–36-month-old) diet and activity behaviors. Parent–toddler dyads were recruited from disadvantaged communities and randomly assigned to receive 10-weekly sessions of the FUNPALs Playgroup (n = 24) or dose-matched health education control group (n = 26). FUNPALs Playgroups involved physical and snack activities, delivery of health information, and positive parenting coaching. The control group involved group health education for parents only. Process outcomes (e.g., retention rate, fidelity) and focus groups determined feasibility and perceived effects. To evaluate preliminary effects, validated measures of toddler diet (food frequency questionnaire and a carotenoid biomarker), physical activity (PA; accelerometers), general and feeding parenting (self-report surveys), and home environment (phone interview) were collected pre and post. The sample comprised parents (84% female) who self-identified as Hispanic/Latino (38%) and/or African American (32%). Retention was high (78%). Parents from both groups enjoyed the program and perceived improvements in their children’s health behaviors. Objective measures demonstrated improvement with large effects (η2 = 0.29) in toddler diet (p < 0.001) but not PA (p = 0.099). In conclusion, the FUNPALs Playgroup is feasible and may improve toddler eating behaviors.

Highlights

IntroductionDifficult to treat, elevates risk for life-threatening chronic diseases [1], and disproportionately impacts low-income, ethnic minority populations [2]
Obesity is pervasive, difficult to treat, elevates risk for life-threatening chronic diseases [1], and disproportionately impacts low-income, ethnic minority populations [2].Obesity-related behavior patterns and preferences, including poor diet quality, physical inactivity, screen media exposure, and inadequate sleep emerge in early childhood [3] and track through life [4,5]
This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effects of a playgroup program, Families Understanding Nutrition and Physically Active Lifestyles (FUNPALs) Playgroup, for delivering obesity prevention strategies to low-income families

Summary

Introduction

Difficult to treat, elevates risk for life-threatening chronic diseases [1], and disproportionately impacts low-income, ethnic minority populations [2]. Obesity-related behavior patterns and preferences, including poor diet quality, physical inactivity, screen media exposure, and inadequate sleep emerge in early childhood [3] and track through life [4,5]. The National Academy of Medicine and the American. Academy of Pediatrics recommend that national policies to prevent obesity focus on older children and adults and be directed toward early childhood [6]. Toddlerhood (12–36 months) is a critical period to establish optimal health behaviors because it is a time in life when habits are developing, it is highly modifiable, and almost entirely reliant on external environmental conditions [7].

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion