Work

Storytelling TO promote appetite self-Regulation in Young children (STORY): results of a pilot study to reduce parental persuasive feeding behaviours

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Appetite self-regulation is the process by which we stop eating when we are no longer hungry and is a resilience-informed approach to promoting a healthy bodyweight. OBJECTIVE: To develop and investigate the acceptability and preliminarily short-term effectiveness of 'Feeding with HEART', a parent communication tool designed to reduce parental persuasive feeding behaviours, which are associated with developing appetite self-regulation in children aged 3-6 years, using value-based messaging, storytelling, and metaphor. METHODS: A 2-arm, 1-month pilot randomized controlled trial was undertaken to assess the communication tool. Parents of children aged 3-6 years were randomized to either the intervention group or the usual care group, and underwent study measures at baseline and 1-month follow-up. The Persuasive Feeding sub-scale of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: Overall, 94 participants were randomized to either the intervention (n = 48) or usual care (n = 46) groups. In the Intention-To-Treat (ITT) analysis (n = 94), the between-group difference in the change from baseline in persuasive feeding behaviors, as assessed by the Persuasive Feeding sub-scale score of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire, improved to a greater extent in the intervention versus usual group (0.22 [SE 0.09]; p < 0.013). Participant feedback was positive, with parents responding particularly favorably to the use of the story which encouraged the caregiver to take their child's point of view and mealtimes. CONCLUSIONS: The 'Feeding with Heart' demonstrated preliminary effectiveness in reducing persuasive feeding practices in parents of children aged 3-6 years old when compared with the current standard of care in New Zealand.

Source: Appetite

DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2025.108385

Authors: Samantha Marsh, Helen Eyles, Leanne Young, Varsha Parag, Joanna Ting Wai Chu, Jessica McCormack

Institution: University of Auckland

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190