Increasing Food Literacy in Preschoolers to Reduce Obesity Risk

Launched by PENN STATE UNIVERSITY · Jul 28, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping preschoolers learn about healthy eating to reduce the risk of obesity. Researchers want to see if a special nutrition education program can improve children's understanding of food and encourage them to make healthier food choices. They will be working with 450 children, aged 3 to 5, in childcare centers in Pennsylvania, especially those that serve families who may benefit from food assistance programs. Some children will receive additional lessons on healthy eating that their parents can also learn from, while others will only get the basic nutrition education.

To participate in this study, children need to be enrolled in the participating childcare centers and not have severe food allergies or disabilities that affect their ability to learn about food. Parents should also be involved in preparing meals for their children at least half of the time. If your child joins, they can expect to learn fun and engaging lessons about food, which may help them make better choices at mealtime. This program is an exciting opportunity to support healthy habits from an early age!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Preschool children enrolled in participating centers
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe food allergies that prevent children from consuming project foods
• • Presence of a developmental or sensory disability that affects food intake and/or learning
• • Lack of English fluency (children and caregivers)
• • Children not regularly present during days/times that intervention lessons are delivered
• • Parents who are not involved in feeding/preparing meals for children at least 50% of the time