RECRUITING

Increasing Food Literacy in Preschoolers to Reduce Obesity Risk

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of a nutrition education program on preschool children's food literacy and food acceptance, and to examine the added influence of a healthy eating curriculum and parent education on children's food knowledge and healthful food choices. The project will be evaluated with 450 children ages 3 to 5 years in center-based childcare programs serving predominantly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible families in Pennsylvania. Outcomes for children who receive the added healthy eating curriculum will be compared to children in classrooms that only receive the nutrition education program.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of a nutrition education program on preschool children's food literacy and food acceptance, and to examine the added influence of a healthy eating curriculum and parent education on children's food knowledge and healthful food choices. The project will be evaluated with 450 children ages 3 to 5 years in center-based childcare programs serving predominantly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible families in Pennsylvania. Outcomes for children who receive the added healthy eating curriculum will be compared to children in classrooms that only receive the nutrition education program.

Increasing Food Literacy as a Means of Increasing Preschool Children's Food Acceptance and Reducing Obesity Risk

Increasing Food Literacy in Preschoolers to Reduce Obesity Risk

Condition
Food Preferences
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

University Park

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, 16802

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Preschool children enrolled in participating centers
  • * 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

Ages Eligible for Study

3 Years to 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Penn State University,

Lori A Francis, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Penn State University; Professor

Study Record Dates

2026-08