EAT Family Style + Better Kid Care for Healthy Eating

This trial aims to determine if a program can help young children in rural areas eat more fruits and vegetables and improve their overall health. Family childcare providers will either learn specific mealtime practices through the EAT Family Style program or general childcare topics with Better Kid Care. Researchers will track changes in children's diets to assess if the program makes a lasting difference. This trial is designed for licensed family childcare providers caring for preschool-aged children in rural communities, specifically those participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance children's health and nutrition in rural areas.

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. It focuses on children's eating habits and mealtime practices, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

Previous studies have shown that the EAT Family Style program helps young children develop healthy eating habits. The program teaches caregivers to encourage children to eat well by recognizing their hunger signals. Research indicates that these methods are safe and well-received, involving enjoyable mealtime routines and limiting unhealthy foods.

Researchers are excited about the EAT Family Style approach because it offers a hands-on, interactive way to promote healthy eating habits in young children, especially in rural family childcare settings. Unlike typical nutrition education programs that might focus solely on providing information, this method involves personalized coaching sessions and feedback through recorded mealtime videos. This allows caregivers to receive tailored advice and engage in goal-setting, making it a more dynamic and potentially effective method for fostering responsive feeding practices. By integrating direct feedback and interactive tools, this approach aims to create a more engaging learning experience that could lead to lasting changes in children's eating behaviors.

This trial will compare two approaches to promoting healthy eating among children in rural family childcare settings. Research has shown that regular family meals can improve children's nutrition and eating habits. Studies have found that children who eat with their families more often tend to consume more vegetables and maintain healthier diets. This habit also links to a lower risk of obesity in children. Additionally, family meals can enhance children's overall well-being and promote better eating behaviors. By following healthy mealtime routines, children in rural areas might experience better health and improved eating habits. Participants in this trial will either receive the EAT Family Style intervention, focusing on responsive feeding practices, or the Better Kid Care program, which covers general childcare topics.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰