Eating Behavior
Conditions
Keywords
mindfullness, eating, snacking, obesity, children
Brief summary
The overall goal of this study is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and efficacy of the Savor the Flavor intervention.
Detailed description
The overall goal of this study is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and efficacy of the Savor the Flavor intervention. The goal of this curriculum is to teach children how to savor foods and slow down while eating by focusing on the sensory experience of eating. The intervention will also teach children attention control techniques so that they are better able to delay consumption of high energy, low nutrition foods, when appropriate.The study will also evaluate a modified version of the Eating in the Absence of Hunger task for use in a preschool classroom setting.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSavor the Flavor
A series of five interactive classroom lessons focused on mindfulness in eating.
Sponsors
Penn State University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Selected classrooms will receive the Savor the Flavor intervention. Data will be collected prior to and after the intervention. Children, their parent/guardian, and classroom teachers will participate in the research.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Child Inclusion Criteria: * Child must be enrolled in a Head Start preschool center * Child must be between the ages of 2 and 6 years old Child
Exclusion criteria
* Food allergy or restriction to foods included in protocol Parent Inclusion Criteria: * Parent or other primary caregiver of a child enrolled in the study * 18 years of age or older * English speaking Parent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in eating in the absence of hunger from pre to post intervention | Pre intervention and at conclusion of 5 week intervention | Children will be given seven minutes of free access to a variety of palatable snacks and toys during a time when they are not hungry (e.g. after a meal). Intake of snacks is determined by pre and post weighing the foods. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recall of Savor the Flavor steps | At conclusion of 5 week intervention | Children will be asked to recall the five steps of Savor the Flavor |
| Acceptability of intervention | At conclusion of 5 week intervention | Teachers will complete a questionnaire with scaled and open-ended questions about the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USDA Food Security questionnaire | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Parents will complete the USDA food security questionnaire as part of a survey packet |
| Child body mass index | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Child height and weight will be measured and used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Age and sex specific BMI percentiles/z-scores will be calculated using CDC growth standards |
| Eating in the Absence of Hunger scale | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Parents will complete the Eating in the Absence of Hunger Scale as part of a survey packet |
| External Food Responsiveness scale | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Parents will complete the External Food Responsiveness Scale as part of a survey packet |
| Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Parents will complete the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire as part of a survey packet |
| Structure and Control in Parent Feeding | Measured once at any time between enrollment and conclusion of 5 week intervention | Parents will complete the Structure and Control in Parent Feeding as part of a survey packet |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed