Nurturing Needs Study: Parenting Food Motivated Children

Launched by TEMPLE UNIVERSITY · Oct 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Nurturing Needs Study is looking at how parents can help their children develop healthy eating habits, especially for those kids who are very motivated by food. This study is important because children who have a strong desire for food are at a higher risk of unhealthy eating and obesity. Researchers want to find effective ways for parents to support their children in making better food choices to prevent obesity.

To participate in this study, you must be a Hispanic or Black parent or caregiver with a low household income and have a 4 or 5-year-old child. You should also be the one primarily responsible for feeding your child and have a cell phone for communication. If you join the study, you can expect to learn about helpful parenting techniques that can guide your child toward healthier eating habits. This research aims to provide valuable insights and support to families facing challenges with food motivation in children.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Child ages 4 or 5 years at baseline;
• • 2. Parent/ primary caregiver with legal representation (having 50% or more custody of child);
• • 3. Parent/primary caregiver reporting primary responsibility for child feeding outside of childcare (being with child when they are eating at least two times daily);
• • 4. Caregiver with a cell phone that can be used to send and receive text messages. If there is more than one age-eligible child in the family, we will ask the caregiver to pick the index child.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Parent/primary caregiver \<18 years of age;
• • 2. Child history of major food allergies (e.g., peanuts);
• • 3. Child medication use (e.g., insulin), developmental disability (e.g., autism) or medical condition(s) (e.g., diabetes) known to affect food intake and growth;
• • 4. Foster child.