Toddler obesity prevention: A two‐generation randomized attention‐controlled trial
Abstract
Abstract Rapid weight gain increases risks of obesity and associated co‐morbidities. The objective was to reduce the rate of body mass index (BMI) growth (BMI z score), relative to control. Secondary outcomes were toddler–mother physical activity, mealtime interactions and fruit/vegetable intake. The randomized three‐arm, eight‐session, 4‐month trial, conducted 2009–2013, included two intervention arms (responsive parenting and maternal lifestyle) and an attention control (home safety). Baseline and 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up evaluations included weight and length/height, ankle accelerometry, video‐recorded mealtime interactions (Emotional Availability Scales) and 24‐h diet recalls (Healthy Eating Index‐2015 [HEI‐2015]). Analyses used linear mixed‐effects models with repeated measures comparing intervention versus control changes in BMI z score. We recruited 277 racially mixed (70% African American) toddler–mother dyads (mean ages 20.1 months and 27.3 years) from US WIC and primary care clinics and randomized them into intervention versus control; 31% toddlers and 73% mothers were overweight/obese. At follow‐up, changes in the rate of toddler BMI z score and maternal BMI were non‐significant. Maternal lifestyle group toddlers and mothers spent 24.43 and 11.01 more minutes in physical activity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.55, 46.32, and 95% CI: 1.48, 20.54, respectively). Fruit intake increased in both intervention groups. Hostile mealtime interactions increased in the…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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