16-Week Food-Body-Mind Program to Improve Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health in Preschoolers and Their Caregivers

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to address mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in young children by evaluating a Food-Body-Mind intervention targeting racially and ethnically diverse preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years from low-income backgrounds attending Head Start programs in urban and rural areas. The study focuses on reducing health disparities and promoting whole child health by improving mental and physical health outcomes for both preschoolers and their caregivers. This 5-year cluster randomized controlled trial is guided by established stress and coping theories to support healthier generations in the US. The 16-week intervention includes three parts a school-based mindfulness program delivered by daycare teachers to teach mindful eating and movement such as yoga and deep breathing a home-based mindfulness component helping caregivers practice mindful eating, movement, and parenting to create a positive home environment and a connection component to strengthen caregiver-preschooler relationships. Fifty daycare centers will be randomized to either receive the intervention or continue usual Head Start activities. Control group families will be offered intervention supplies and a virtual caregiver meeting after follow-up data collection. Participants will be involved over 16 months with assessments at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 12-month follow-up. Researchers will measure changes in preschoolers problem behaviors, emotions, social skills, chronic stress, BMI, and body fat, as well as caregivers physical and mental health including BMI, blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. Data will be collected through behavioral assessments, physical measurements, and questionnaires to evaluate intervention effects and potential mediators. Safety and adherence will be monitored throughout the study period.

Food-Body-Mind Intervention (16 Weeks)