An integrated intervention to prevent obesity in infants.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An integrated targeted intervention to prevent obesity in infants born into a diverse community
IRAS ID
174843
Contact name
Julie Greenway
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
DUDLEY OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Levels of childhood obesity are increasing, with highest levels found in the most deprived areas. Childhood obesity has been associated with emotional, behavioural, and health issues and obese children have an increased risk of becoming obese adults with the associated risks of ill-health and premature mortality.
The proposed research is in two phases:
Phase 1 aims to find out whether attendance at a ‘Let’s Get Kids Fit’ course changes mothers’ attitudes around 3 key beliefs:
1. babies cannot be overfed
2. crying always signals hunger
3. growth is determined by genes rather than nutrition
Previous research suggests these beliefs need to be changed in order to address childhood obesity levels.
Phase 2 will compare the BMIs of infants born to mothers who attended the course with those of infants born to mothers who did not attend.
The course will cover nutrition, cooking skills, child development and age-appropriate physical activity and participants will be required to attend a 2- hour session once a week for 6 weeks.
Recruitment will take place from mothers who have been referred into the Healthy Pregnancy Support Service (HPSS) because their BMI is more than 26.
The course will take place at local Children’s Centres as they are equipped with facilities to offer crèche and cooking activities.
In Phase 1, participants will be required to attend a focus group group both before and after attending the course to find out whether there has been a change in their beliefs regarding the 3 key questions outlined above and to complete a short questionnaire. No additional interventions will be required for Phase 2 as measurements will be routinely obtained as part of the Healthy Child Programme.
Black Country Partnership and Dudley Public Health Department will be jointly funding the research as Partnership working has been identified as key to success in tackling obesity.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0339
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion