Eat Healthy Grow Healthy Program to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Preschoolers

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake is an effective prevention strategy. The EatGrow study is a family-based, fully virtual intervention targeting preschool-aged children and their parents. Recruitment was conducted via schools; however, schools do not participate in delivering the intervention.

The study has three primary aims:

Aim 1: Assess changes in parental nutrition literacy, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding incorporating fruits and vegetables into daily meals.

Aim 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of the EatGrow virtual nutrition education intervention in increasing fruit and vegetable intake among preschool-aged children.

Aim 3: Determine whether the intervention reduces food neophobia and increases children's willingness to try a variety of fruits and vegetables.

The intervention is delivered over eight weeks via interactive online modules. Activities include parent-child cooking, taste-testing, and interactive nutrition education. Weekly engagement tasks are included to encourage participation. Outcomes are measured through parent-completed surveys assessing their child's dietary intake and food preferences, as well as parental nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

This study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of virtual, family-based interventions in promoting healthy eating behaviors and preventing childhood obesity.

Inclusion criteria

• Parent or primary caregiver of a preschool-aged child (3 to 5 years old) enrolled at one of the participating schools.
• Responsible for the home food environment, including meal preparation.
• Access to a stable internet connection and an internet-enabled device (e.g., "smartphone," tablet, or computer).
• Willingness to participate in the full intervention and complete weekly tasks.
• Ability and willingness to purchase ingredients for weekly virtual cooking sessions.
• Ability to read, speak, and understand English.

Exclusion criteria

• Families unable or unwilling to purchase ingredients for weekly recipes.
• Children or parents/caregivers with known allergies to fruits and/or vegetables.
• Families without reliable internet access.
• Parents/caregivers who are unable to read, speak, or understand English.