Actively Recruiting
Reducing Obesity Through Play Among Toddlers: Tiny Steps to Health (TSHS) Study
Led by University of Houston · Updated on 2026-05-05
300
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
197 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Houston
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to test various ways to help toddlers develop healthy eating and activity behaviors. Parents and toddlers, who participate in this research will be randomly assigned to either 1) continue their lifestyle behaviors for 10-weeks and then receive a health club membership for 1-month, 2) attend a health promotion playgroup together for 10 weeks, or 3) to attend an educational class for parents while toddlers are in childcare for 10-weeks. Physical measures of toddlers (height, weight, dietary intake, activity) will be collected. Parent-report surveys with questions about parenting, toddler diet, toddler temperament, food security status, demographic qualities, and satisfaction with group assignment will be collected. Last, the interactions between parents and toddlers will be observed and assessed during short play tasks via Zoom. All measures will be collected immediately upon signing up for the study (week 0), 10-weeks later (post), and 24-weeks after signing up for the study.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Reducing Obesity Through Play Among Toddlers: Tiny Steps to Health (TSHS) Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Parent is the primary legal guardian of a toddler
- Parent is older than 18 years
- Parent has regular and frequent internet access
- Parent is fluent in English
- Toddler is between 18 and 36 months old
- Toddler is able to walk
You will not qualify if you...
- Parent or toddler has mental or physical conditions preventing participation in nutrition, physical activity, play, or group instruction
- Parent is not fluent in English
- Parent is unwilling or unable to participate in parent-toddler assessments via Zoom
- Parent is unwilling to be recorded during playgroup sessions or assessments
- More than one toddler or parent from the same family applying
- Parent or toddler has previously participated in FUNPALs Playgroup or Healthy Toddler Parent Group sessions
- Families unwilling to commit to the full program (e.g., planning to move)
- Families who participated in practice sessions for facilitator training
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Houston
Houston, Texas, United States, 77204
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tracey L Ledoux, PhD
CONTACT
C
Craig Johnston, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
FACTORIAL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
3
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