Actively Recruiting
Increasing Food Literacy as a Means of Increasing Preschool Children's Food Acceptance and Reducing Obesity Risk
Led by Penn State University · Updated on 2025-03-17
770
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of a nutrition education program on preschool children's food literacy and acceptance, aiming to reduce obesity risk. The study involves 450 children aged 3 to 5 years attending center-based childcare programs serving mostly families eligible for SNAP in Pennsylvania. It compares children receiving a basic nutrition program to those receiving an added healthy eating curriculum and parent education to see if these additions improve food knowledge and healthy choices. All children receive the Eating the Alphabet curriculum, which introduces a new fruit or vegetable each week with 27 lessons. Parents get web-based resources related to this curriculum. Children in the intervention group also receive a Healthy Eating curriculum with classroom materials and teacher training to improve the food and mealtime environment. Additionally, parents in the intervention group receive web-based lessons on responsive food parenting. Early childhood educators in intervention classrooms complete training on increasing food acceptance in preschoolers. Participants will be involved over a 14-month period with measurements taken before, during, and after the intervention. Researchers assess children's food acceptance, willingness to try new foods, food literacy, knowledge, and food choices, as well as changes in child weight status. The study includes child, teacher, classroom, and parent outcomes to understand how to improve nutrition knowledge and acceptance of fruits and vegetables in young children.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Increasing Food Literacy in Preschoolers to Reduce Obesity Risk
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Preschool children enrolled in participating centers
You will not qualify if you...
- Severe food allergies that prevent children from consuming project foods
- Presence of a developmental or sensory disability that affects food intake and/or learning
- Lack of English fluency (children and caregivers)
- Children not regularly present during days/times that intervention lessons are delivered
- Parents who are not involved in feeding/preparing meals for children at least 50% of the time
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 6 months
Participants receive food literacy lessons designed to help them learn about different fruits and vegetables, their origins, and nutritional benefits. Intervention group participants also receive additional curriculum, classroom materials, teacher training, and web-based parent education focused on healthy eating and responsive food parenting.
Weekly visits for up to 6 months
Duration - Short-term follow-up after intervention (~1 month)
Participants' progress is assessed after the intervention period to evaluate changes in food acceptance, food knowledge, food choices, and weight status.
1 to 2 follow-up visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, 16802
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Lori A Francis, Ph.D.
R
Regina H Lozinski, M.S.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here