Effectiveness of a parental school-based intervention to improve young children’s eating patterns

A pilot study

Bibliographic Data

ID15092537
AuthorsAna Isabel Gomes (0000-0002-8597-2516, University of Lisbon, corresponding author), Luísa Barros (0000-0002-5075-0104, University of Lisbon), Ana Isabel Pereira (0000-0003-4532-6947, University of Lisbon), Magda Sofia Roberto (0000-0003-4127-561X, University of Lisbon)
Year2018
Volume21
Issue13
Pages2485-2496
Publication date2018-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980018000952
PMID29681248
OpenAlexW2801138461
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited44

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot study of a parental school-based intervention to promote healthy eating behaviours in young children. Design A quasi-experimental longitudinal design with three conditions (complete intervention (CIG), minimal intervention (MIG), control (CG)), with repeated measures at baseline, immediately after the intervention, 6 months and 1 year after intervention. Setting Fourteen public and state-funded kindergartens near Lisbon, Portugal. Subjects Parents ( n 349) of 3- to 6-year-old children assigned to the three conditions completed the baseline protocol. The ‘Red Apple’ intervention included four parental group sessions about young children’s growth, nutritional guidelines and positive parental feeding strategies, which was combined with adult–child activities at home and in the classroom, and newsletters (CIG). MIG included only a single nutritional counselling session, whereas the CG had no intervention. At the end, thirty-eight, twenty-six and fifty-four parents in the CIG, MIG and CG, respectively, had completed all evaluation components. Data regarding parental perception of children’s weight, self-efficacy, nutritional knowledge, feeding strategies, eating behaviours and BMI were collected at the four assessment moments. Results The CIG showed improvements in children’s healthy food intake, compared with the MIG and CG. Parental self-efficacy regarding the regulation of children’s eating behaviours decreased in the CG but not in both intervention groups. Conclusions Considering the low dosage of the intervention, the results obtained were positive. Future studies should offer additional solutions to overcome barriers to parents’ participation

Intervention (counseling · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology

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