Feasibility and Efficacy of the “FUNPALs Playgroup” Intervention to Improve Toddler Dietary and Activity Behaviors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Aliye B. Cepni, Ashley Taylor, Christine Crumbley, Debbe Thompson, Nancy E. Moran, Norma Olvera, Daniel P. O’Connor, Katherine R. Arlinghaus, Craig A. Johnston and Tracey A. Ledoux
Additional contact information
Aliye B. Cepni: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Ashley Taylor: Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Christine Crumbley: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Debbe Thompson: USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Nancy E. Moran: USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Norma Olvera: Department of Psychological, Latino Health Disparities Lab, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Daniel P. O’Connor: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Katherine R. Arlinghaus: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Craig A. Johnston: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Tracey A. Ledoux: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: This study evaluated the feasibility and effects of the Families Understanding Nutrition and Physically Active Lifestyles (FUNPALs) Playgroup on toddler (12–36-month-old) diet and activity behaviors. Parent–toddler dyads were recruited from disadvantaged communities and randomly assigned to receive 10-weekly sessions of the FUNPALs Playgroup ( n = 24) or dose-matched health education control group ( n = 26). FUNPALs Playgroups involved physical and snack activities, delivery of health information, and positive parenting coaching. The control group involved group health education for parents only. Process outcomes (e.g., retention rate, fidelity) and focus groups determined feasibility and perceived effects. To evaluate preliminary effects, validated measures of toddler diet (food frequency questionnaire and a carotenoid biomarker), physical activity (PA; accelerometers), general and feeding parenting (self-report surveys), and home environment (phone interview) were collected pre and post. The sample comprised parents (84% female) who self-identified as Hispanic/Latino (38%) and/or African American (32%). Retention was high (78%). Parents from both groups enjoyed the program and perceived improvements in their children’s health behaviors. Objective measures demonstrated improvement with large effects (? 2 = 0.29) in toddler diet ( p < 0.001) but not PA ( p = 0.099). In conclusion, the FUNPALs Playgroup is feasible and may improve toddler eating behaviors.

Keywords: playgroup; early childhood; obesity prevention; diet; activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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