Trial Outcomes & Findings for Addressing Obesity in Early Care and Education Settings (NCT NCT04140032)

NCT ID: NCT04140032

Last Updated: 2025-06-12

Results Overview

Height and weight of preschool children were measured by trained research staff. These data were used to calculate children's body mass index (BMI) scores. The BMI Z-score is a measure calculated from a child's height and weight that indicates how a child's BMI compares with the BMI of a reference population of U.S. children of the same age and sex. The reference population is based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pediatric growth charts and the BMI Z-score is calculated using a CDC-provided computer program. A Z-score of 0 corresponds to the mean BMI of the reference population. A Z-score of +1 corresponds to a BMI that is one standard deviation above the mean of the reference population, and a Z-score of -1 represents a BMI that is one standard deviation below the mean of the reference population. When used as a measure of obesity risk, a lower Z-score is considered a better outcome.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

1136 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Measured pre-intervention at the beginning of the school year and post-intervention at the end of the school year (approximately 10 months later)

Results posted on

2025-06-12

Participant Flow

68 preschools were screened

51 preschools were randomized; 3 withdrew before baseline data collection. All students in a preschool were assigned to the same group. The study used an open cohort design in which all students who provided data at baseline and/or follow-up were included. Note: We use the 1136 preschool children included in the primary outcome (BMI z-score)

Unit of analysis: Preschool

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Intervention
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Overall Study
STARTED
618 25
518 23
Overall Study
COMPLETED
618 25
518 23
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0 0
0 0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Addressing Obesity in Early Care and Education Settings

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Intervention
n=25 Preschools
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
n=22 Preschools
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Total
n=47 Preschools
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Customized
Age, Continuous
45.3 Months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.2 • n=5 Participants
43.7 Months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.6 • n=7 Participants
44.6 Months
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
289 Participants
n=5 Participants
224 Participants
n=7 Participants
513 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
312 Participants
n=5 Participants
277 Participants
n=7 Participants
589 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
237 Participants
n=5 Participants
195 Participants
n=7 Participants
432 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
195 Participants
n=5 Participants
178 Participants
n=7 Participants
373 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
169 Participants
n=5 Participants
128 Participants
n=7 Participants
297 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
22 Participants
n=5 Participants
18 Participants
n=7 Participants
40 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
18 Participants
n=5 Participants
22 Participants
n=7 Participants
40 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
96 Participants
n=5 Participants
91 Participants
n=7 Participants
187 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
121 Participants
n=5 Participants
94 Participants
n=7 Participants
215 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
340 Participants
n=5 Participants
276 Participants
n=7 Participants
616 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
601 participants
n=5 Participants
501 participants
n=7 Participants
1102 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured pre-intervention at the beginning of the school year and post-intervention at the end of the school year (approximately 10 months later)

Population: All participants for whom valid height, weight, age, and sex were collected at baseline and/or follow-up.

Height and weight of preschool children were measured by trained research staff. These data were used to calculate children's body mass index (BMI) scores. The BMI Z-score is a measure calculated from a child's height and weight that indicates how a child's BMI compares with the BMI of a reference population of U.S. children of the same age and sex. The reference population is based on Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pediatric growth charts and the BMI Z-score is calculated using a CDC-provided computer program. A Z-score of 0 corresponds to the mean BMI of the reference population. A Z-score of +1 corresponds to a BMI that is one standard deviation above the mean of the reference population, and a Z-score of -1 represents a BMI that is one standard deviation below the mean of the reference population. When used as a measure of obesity risk, a lower Z-score is considered a better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=601 Participants
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
n=501 Participants
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Child BMI Z-score
Baseline
0.40 Z-score
Standard Deviation 1.07
0.43 Z-score
Standard Deviation 1.13
Child BMI Z-score
Follow-up
0.31 Z-score
Standard Deviation 1.14
0.48 Z-score
Standard Deviation 1.17

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured pre-intervention at the beginning of the school year and post-intervention at the end of the school year (approximately 10 months later)

Population: All participants with a valid response to the survey question at baseline and/or follow-up.

Parents completed surveys regarding children's physical activity and nutrition. For frequency of fruit consumption, the following question was asked: How often does your child eat... fruit? Include fresh, frozen, or canned fruit. DO NOT include juices. The response is dichotomized as at least once a day versus less than once a day.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=425 Participants
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
n=386 Participants
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Percentage of Children Who Eat Fruit Once a Day
Baseline
82 Percent of children who eat fruits
76 Percent of children who eat fruits
Percentage of Children Who Eat Fruit Once a Day
Follow-up
86 Percent of children who eat fruits
82 Percent of children who eat fruits

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured pre-intervention at the beginning of the school year and post-intervention at the end of the school year (approximately 10 months later)

Population: All participants with a valid response to the survey question of interest at baseline and/or follow-up.

Parents completed surveys regarding children's physical activity and nutrition. For frequency of physical activity, the following question was asked: During the past 7 days, on how many days was your child physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day?

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=420 Participants
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
n=379 Participants
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Frequency of Physical Activity
Baseline
4.9 days
Standard Deviation 2.1
4.8 days
Standard Deviation 2.1
Frequency of Physical Activity
Follow-up
5.2 days
Standard Deviation 2.0
5.4 days
Standard Deviation 2.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 weeks post intervention

Teacher nutrition will be measured via self-report of dietary intake.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 weeks post intervention

Teacher physical activity will be measured via self-report of physical activity.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 4 weeks post intervention

Nutrition and physical activity policies of the preschool will be assessed via in-person all day observations of one preschool classroom per site. Trained research staff will conduct these observations during an on-site visit to the center. Additionally, preschool site directors will complete a nutrition and physical activity policy and practice survey to assess center nutrition and physical activity policies.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measured pre-intervention at the beginning of the school year and post-intervention at the end of the school year (approximately 10 months later)

Population: All participants with a valid response to the survey question at baseline and/or follow-up.

Parents completed surveys regarding children's physical activity and nutrition. For frequency of vegetable consumption, the following question was asked: How often does your child eat... vegetables? DO NOT count potatoes, or beans. The response is dichotomized as at least once a day versus less than once a day.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intervention
n=424 Participants
Preschools participated in the A-B-C Healthy Me/Soy Saludable multi-component nutrition and physical activity preschool intervention.
Control
n=386 Participants
Preschools continued with "usual care" practices. Control group preschools received intervention materials and accompanying instructions after follow-up measures were collected for each cohort.
Percentage of Children Who Eat Vegetables Once a Day
Baseline
61 Percentage children who eat vegetables
61 Percentage children who eat vegetables
Percentage of Children Who Eat Vegetables Once a Day
Follow-up
69 Percentage children who eat vegetables
69 Percentage children who eat vegetables

Adverse Events

Intervention

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Control

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Burt Cowgill

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Phone: 310-794-3569

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place