Summary
Background
Excess intake of desserts/sweets high in added sugars, such as candy, is linked with greater obesity risk. Parents often limit their children’s intake of these sweet foods using controlling feeding practices, such as restriction; yet, restrictive feeding practices are counterproductive for children’s self‐regulation of energy intake.
Objective
This study developed a family‐based behavioral intervention that taught parents alternatives to restrictive feeding practices and encouraged children to consume candy in moderation.
Methods
Using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST), parent‐child dyads (N=37) were randomized into one of 8 conditions that included a combination of intervention components delivered over 4 weeks: home supply, parent shared decision making, child mindfulness, and child attention control strategies.
Results
Retention rate at follow‐up was high (95%). Among parents who received parent shared decision making, 86.4% reported the structured‐based candy routine they set with their child was easy to follow. Most children reported child mindfulness (95%) and attention control (89.5%) strategies were easy to play. Children recalled 4.1±1.8 of the 6 mindfulness strategies and 2.7±1.6 of the 5 attention control strategies at follow‐up. Eating in the Absence of Hunger tended to be lower for children who received parent shared decision making and child mindfulness components.
Conclusion
This intervention was feasible and well‐implemented in the home environment. Findings will inform future, larger interventions designed to test similar strategies on children’s eating behaviors and self‐regulation.