A parent-directed portion education intervention for young children: Be Beary Healthy

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to determine the effects of an intervention on nutrition knowledge, food parents serve, and children's dietary intake. Design and Methods: A single-group pre-/posttest design was used with 45 mothers and their 4- to 6-year-old children. After pretesting, parents received child nutrition information and portion-related activities. Results: Paired samples t-tests revealed that from pre- to posttest the average calories mothers served and the average calories children ate significantly decreased (medium effect size). Medium effects also were recognized from pre- to posttest for the carbohydrates served and carbohydrates consumed. No significant change was found in parents' nutrition knowledge. Practice Implications: Interventions focusing on skill building rather than on increasing knowledge may more effectively lead to changed child intake. © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.