Short-Term Effects of an Obesity Prevention Program Among Low-Income Hispanic Families With Preschoolers

Abstract

To assess the short-term effects of an obesity prevention program promoting eating self-regulation and healthy food preferences in low-income Hispanic children. Randomized controlled trial with pretest, posttest, and 6- and 12-month assessments. Head Start and similar early learning institutions in Houston, TX, and Pasco, WA. A total of 255 families with preschoolers randomized into prevention (n = 136) and control (n = 119) groups. Multicomponent family-based prevention program. Fourteen waves lasted 7 weeks each with 8-10 mother-child dyads in each group. Parent assessments included feeding practices, styles, and knowledge. Child assessments included child eating self-regulation, willingness to try new foods, and parent report of child fruit and vegetable preferences. Parent and child heights and weights were measured. Multilevel analyses were employed to consider the nested nature of the data: time points within families within waves. The program had predicted effects on parental feeding practices, styles, and knowledge in the pre- to post-comparisons. Effects on child eating behavior were minimal; only the number of different vegetables tried showed significant pre-post differences. Short-term effects of this prevention program highlight the importance of family-focused feeding approaches to combating child overweight and obesity.