Secondary impact of a behavioral intervention on dietary quality in preschoolers with obesity

Abstract

ABSTRACTDietary habits and obesity are established in early childhood. This secondary data analysis examined changes in dietary quality among treatment-seeking preschoolers with obesity(n=13). 24-hour dietary recall data collected at baseline, post-treatment(6 months), and 6-months post-treatment follow-up(12 months) were analyzed using the Healthy Eating Index(HEI)-2010. Repeated-measures analyses of variance revealed significant improvements in overall dietary quality and reductions in empty calories from baseline to 12 months. Change in overall dietary quality was not associated with change in BMI z-score at either time point. Identifying effective strategies to increase nutrient-dense food groups(e.g., vegetables) is important for maximizing the health impact of preschool obesity interventions.