Strategies for Effective Eating Development—SEEDS: Design of an Obesity Prevention Program to Promote Healthy Food Preferences and Eating Self-Regulation in Children From Low-Income Families

Abstract

ObjectiveTo develop a scientifically based childhood obesity prevention program supporting child eating self-regulation and taste preferences. This article describes the research methods for the Strategies for Effective Eating Development program. A logic model is provided that depicts a visual presentation of the activities that will be used to guide the development of the prevention program. DesignRandomized, controlled prevention program, pretest, posttest, 6 months, and 12 months. SettingTwo sites: Houston, TX and Pasco, WA. Each trial will last 7 weeks with 8–10 mother–child dyads in each arm (prevention and control). ParticipantsRecruitment at Head Start districts (Texas; n = 160) and Inspire Child Development Center including Early Childhood Education and Head Start (Washington; n = 160). Sixteen trials with 16–20 parent–child dyads per trial will provide adequate power to detect moderate effects. InterventionMulticomponent family-based prevention program incorporating a dialogue approach to adult learning and self-determination theory. Main Outcome MeasuresChild assessments will include observed taste preferences, caloric compensation, and eating in the absence of hunger. Parent assessments will include parent-reported feeding, feeding emotions, acculturation, child eating behaviors, child food preferences, and child dietary intake. Heights and weights will be measured for parent and child. AnalysisA multilevel growth modeling analysis will be employed to consider the nested nature of the data: time points (level 1) within families (level 2) within trials (level 3).