POI: Prevention of overweight in infancy
Given the lack of widespread success intervening in older children, adolescents and adults, international interest is growing in the efficacy of obesity prevention initiatives which target our youngest members of society. POI is a 4-arm randomised controlled trial aimed at determining if extra guidance and support around sleeping, eating and physical activity during infancy can reduce the rate of excessive weight gain in the first three years of life.
800 women in the latter stages of pregnancy will be recruited to the 24-month intervention (with 12 months of follow-up). Participants will be randomised to one of four groups; 1) control, who will receive usual care only, 2) sleep, who will receive an intervention designed to prevent sleep problems in the first 6 months, with a more intensive intervention if problems persist after 6 months of age, 3) FAB, who will be provided with lactation consultants, as well as support and guidance about infant and toddler eating and physical activity, and 4) a group who will receive all interventions.
Outcomes of interest include growth, diet, physical activity, sleep, parenting, maternal depression and family functioning.
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Funding:
Health Research Council of New Zealand
