Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Preventing obesity during infancy: a pilot study
Ian M Paul1, Jennifer S Savage, Stephanie L Anzman
1Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. paul@psu.edu
Insights
Early behavioral interventions for infants can prevent childhood obesity. Combined parent-focused "Soothe/Sleep" and "Introduction of Solids" strategies significantly reduced infant weight-for-length percentiles at one year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Over 20% of US children aged 2-5 years are overweight, indicating a need for earlier obesity prevention strategies.
- Infant feeding and sleep behaviors are critical determinants of early growth and long-term weight trajectories.
- Parental education on infant cues and feeding practices can influence growth patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the independent and combined effects of two parent-focused behavioral interventions on infant growth.
- To promote healthy infant growth trajectories in the first year of life.
- To assess the potential of multicomponent behavioral interventions for long-term obesity prevention.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 factorial design randomized 160 mother-newborn dyads to receive "Soothe/Sleep" and/or "Introduction of Solids" interventions or no intervention.
- Interventions were delivered during two nurse home visits.
- Infant weight-for-length percentiles were measured at one year.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving both "Soothe/Sleep" and "Introduction of Solids" interventions had significantly lower weight-for-length percentiles at one year (P = 0.009).
- The mean weight-for-length percentile for infants receiving both interventions was 33rd, compared to 50th-56th percentiles in other groups.
- This suggests a synergistic effect of the combined interventions on infant growth.
Conclusions:
- Multicomponent behavioral interventions targeting infant feeding and sleep behaviors show promise for early obesity prevention.
- Parental guidance on infant cues, sleep, and feeding can effectively modulate infant growth.
- Early intervention during the first year of life is crucial for establishing healthy growth patterns and potentially preventing childhood obesity.
Abstract:
More than 20% of US children between ages 2 and 5 years are overweight suggesting efforts to prevent obesity must begin earlier. This study tested the independent and combined effects of two behavioral interventions delivered to parents, designed to promote healthy infant growth in the first year. Mother-newborn dyads intending to breastfeed were recruited from a maternity ward. With a 2 × 2 design, 160 dyads were randomized into one of four treatment cells to receive both, one, or no interventions delivered at two nurse home visits. The first intervention ("Soothe/Sleep") instructed parents on discriminating between hunger and other sources of infant distress. Soothing strategies were taught to minimize feeding for non-hunger-related fussiness and to prolong sleep duration, particularly at night. The second intervention ("Introduction of Solids") taught parents about hunger and satiety cues, the timing for the introduction of solid foods, and how to overcome infants' initial rejection of healthy foods through repeated exposure. A total of 110 mother-infant dyads completed the year-long study. At 1 year, infants who received both interventions had lower weight-for-length percentiles (P = 0.009). Participants receiving both interventions had a mean weight-for-length in the 33rd percentile; in contrast, those in other study groups were higher first intervention only--50th percentile; second intervention only--56th percentile; control group--50th percentile).This suggests that multicomponent behavioral interventions may have potential for long-term obesity prevention (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00359242).
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:30Regulation of Food Intake