Abstract
BackgroundMultiple factors combine to support a compelling case for interventions that target the development of obesity-promoting behaviours (poor diet, low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour) from their inception. These factors include the rapidly increasing prevalence of fatness throughout childhood, the instigation of obesity-promoting behaviours in infancy, and the tracking of these behaviours from childhood through to adolescence and adulthood. The Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) aims to determine the effectiveness of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention delivered to first-time parents. The intervention, conducted with parents over the infant's first 18 months of life, will use existing social networks (first-time parent's groups) and an anticipatory guidance framework focusing on parenting skills which support the development of positive diet and physical activity behaviours, and reduced sedentary behaviours in infancy.Methods/DesignThis cluster-randomised controlled trial, with first-time parent groups as the unit of randomisation, will be conducted with a sample of 600 first-time parents and their newborn children who attend the first-time parents' group at Maternal and Child Health Centres. Using a two-stage sampling process, local government areas in Victoria, Australia will be randomly selected at the first stage. At the second stage, a proportional sample of first-time parent groups within selected local government areas will be randomly selected and invited to participate. Informed consent will be obtained and groups will then be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group.DiscussionThe early years hold promise as a time in which obesity prevention may be most effective. To our knowledge this will be the first randomised trial internationally to demonstrate whether an early health promotion program delivered to first-time parents in their existing social groups promotes healthy eating, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours. If proven to be effective, INFANT may protect children from the development of obesity and its associated social and economic costs.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN81847050
Highlights
Multiple factors combine to support a compelling case for interventions that target the development of obesity-promoting behaviours from their inception
The early years hold promise as a time in which obesity prevention may be most effective. To our knowledge this will be the first randomised trial internationally to demonstrate whether an early health promotion program delivered to first-time parents in their existing social groups promotes healthy eating, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours
In Australia approximately 25% of children are overweight or obese and that estimate is growing with data highlighting that these increases begin in early childhood [3]
Summary
The prevalence of obesity in early childhood is rapidly increasing and is determined, in part, by eating, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. These behaviors are predominantly learnt at home in the first five years of life, and impact upon health throughout life. The early years hold promise as a time when obesity prevention may be most effective Research in this early period of life is lacking. This cluster-randomized trial will be one of the first to investigate whether a health promotion program delivered to first-time parents in their usual social settings can promote healthy eating, physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviours in infants. Further this study has the capacity to substantially strengthen our understanding of strategies that will promote health among families and may result in policy change both nationally and internationally
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