Developing an evidence-based pilot infant feeding behaviours intervention for childhood obesity in primary care

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a serious public health concern. Early infant feeding practices are modifiable factors that can influence childhood overweight and obesity. The aim of this research is to develop, implement and evaluate an infant feeding intervention for childhood obesity. Methods: This research is structured in 3 work packages. In Work-Package 1, quantitative and qualitative infant feeding literature is synthesised to form an evidence base. Work-Package 2 explores health service and stakeholder needs and experiences to inform selection of intervention components, methods, outcomes and objectives. This work package will also inform development of an intervention programme plan. Work package 3 involves implementing and evaluating the pilot intervention. Expected results: The first expected output is a comprehensive evidence base of intervention effects, parental experiences infant feeding, and parental and healthcare professionals experiences of intervention participation. The outputs of Work-Package 2 will be development of an infant feeding intervention for childhood obesity for use in primary care. The output of Work-Package 3 will be evidence on the effects of the intervention in a pilot trial, with concurrent economic and process evaluations. Current stage of work: The quantitative evidence synthesis of intervention effects is complete. Two qualitative evidence syntheses are on-going. Discussion: This research approach will ensure the rigorous development of an appropriate, feasible and acceptable early infant feeding intervention for childhood obesity.