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The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program follow-up
Kylie D Hesketh1, Karen Campbell, Jo Salmon
1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Melbourne VIC 3125, Australia. kylie.hesketh@deakin.edu.au
Insights
The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program follow-up study will assess long-term obesity prevention effects in children up to age 5. This research provides valuable data for early childhood obesity prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Childhood obesity prevention
- Public health interventions
- Longitudinal study design
Background:
- The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program was a community-based, cluster-randomised controlled trial for obesity prevention in infants aged 4-20 months.
- The initial trial demonstrated positive impacts on dietary habits and television viewing, with high participant engagement.
- Funding has been secured for a follow-up study to evaluate the long-term effects of the intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sustained effects of the InFANT intervention on child obesity-related outcomes up to 5 years of age.
- To investigate mediators and moderators influencing the intervention's long-term effectiveness.
- To conduct an economic evaluation of the program's cost-effectiveness over time.
Main Methods:
- Re-contacting 492 families from the original trial for renewed consent.
- Conducting home visits for data collection at approximately 2 and 3.5 years post-intervention.
- Assessing key outcomes including child BMI, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and sedentary time using objective measures and parent reports.
Main Results:
- Data collection for the follow-up study is ongoing.
- Long-term intervention effects, mediators, and moderators are yet to be fully determined.
Conclusions:
- The follow-up study will provide crucial insights into the lasting impact of early childhood obesity prevention interventions.
- Findings will inform researchers and policymakers on effective strategies for long-term obesity prevention in young children.
- This research contributes to advancing the field of early childhood obesity prevention through rigorous evaluation.
Background:
The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program, is a community-based, cluster-randomised controlled trial of an obesity prevention intervention delivered to first-time parents of infants from age 4-20 months. Conducted from 2008 to 2010, the program had high uptake and retention and showed positive impacts on some dietary outcomes and television viewing. Funding was secured for a follow-up study of participants two and 3.5 years post intervention (at child ages ~3.5 and 5 years). The follow-up study aims to assess intervention effects, mediators and moderators of effects, and program cost-effectiveness over the longer term.
Methods/Design:
The 492 families still enrolled in the Melbourne InFANT Program at intervention conclusion will be recontacted and renewed consent sought to participate in this follow-up study. No further intervention will occur. Home visit data collections will occur approximately two and 3.5 years post intervention. Main outcomes to be assessed include child body mass index, waist circumference, diet (3 × 24-hour recalls; food frequency questionnaire), physical activity (8 days ActiGraph accelerometer data; parent reported active play) and sedentary time (8days ActiGraph accelerometer and ActivPAL inclinometer data; parent reported screen time).
Discussion:
Follow-up of participants of the Melbourne InFANT Program at two and 3.5 years post intervention will allow assessment of longer term intervention effects, investigation of potential mediators and moderators of such effects, and economic evaluation of the longer term outcomes. This information will be valuable to researchers and policy makers in progressing the field of early childhood obesity prevention.
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