The extended Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT Extend) Program: a cluster-randomized controlled trial of an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding how we can prevent childhood obesity in scalable and sustainable ways is imperative. Early RCT interventions focused on the first two years of life have shown promise however, differences in Body Mass Index between intervention and control groups diminish once the interventions cease. Innovative and cost-effective strategies seeking to continue to support parents to engender appropriate energy balance behaviours in young children need to be explored.Methods/DesignThe Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Extend Program builds on the early outcomes of the Melbourne InFANT Program. This cluster randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of an extended (33 versus 15 month) and enhanced (use of web-based materials, and Facebook® engagement), version of the original Melbourne InFANT Program intervention in a new cohort. Outcomes at 36 months of age will be compared against the control group.DiscussionThis trial will provide important information regarding capacity and opportunities to maximize early childhood intervention effectiveness over the first three years of life. This study continues to build the evidence base regarding the design of cost-effective, scalable interventions to promote protective energy balance behaviors in early childhood, and in turn, promote improved child weight and health across the life course.Trial registrationACTRN12611000386932. Registered 13 April 2011.

Prospects for early childhood feeding interventions: An exploration of parent's concerns and acceptability towards social media intervention opportunities

“…These barriers appear consistent with the strategies and skills parents reported they would be interested in developing. To date, current early child feeding interventions have included components such as positive parenting (encouragement of autonomy, warmth and self‐efficacy—as the strongest predictor of health behaviours and an inhibitor of barriers), as relevant to overcoming child tantrums, however, less attention appears to be given to supporting parents overcome food utilisation barriers such as time, money and grocery shopping skills . Future child feeding intervention are likely to benefit by framing curriculum to address these barriers, particularly in low socioeconomic and populations outside of capital cities.…”

Supporting health-related parenting: A scoping review of programs assisted by the Internet and related technologies

“…Several technologies may be involved, such as email (Bragadóttir, 2008), Facebook parent group (Campbell et al, 2016;Gruver et al, 2016), chat rooms, forums, blogs, or discussion boards (Ewing et al, 2009;Martin et al, 2016). The common feature is that these groups are always mediated by a psychologist or a health professional that monitors the adequacy of messages and information and provides additional information or feedback when appropriate.…”

Relative effects of postnatal rapid growth and maternal factors on early childhood growth trajectories

“…Details of these studies have been reported previously. [12][13][14] In brief, the Melbourne and Child Health Centers and randomised to intervention or control conditions. Intervention strategies included six dietitian-delivered group education sessions that included information on infant feeding, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours.…”