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HERSHEY, PA – A groundbreaking study reveals that early-life responsive parenting interventions can lead to healthier weight outcomes for children, with benefits persisting into middle childhood, albeit with a gradual decline. The research, conducted by Penn State College of Medicine and the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Penn State University, is part of the long-term INSIGHT study, which aims to prevent obesity in the first two years of life.
With childhood obesity rates in the U.S. exceeding 22% among children aged 6 to 19, researchers sought to address this critical issue through a novel approach. “We aimed to address this trend through a novel intervention that emphasizes the importance of responsive parenting practices during the crucial early years of a child’s life,” stated Dr. Ian Paul, principal investigator and University Professor of Pediatrics at the College of Medicine.
The findings, published on March 10 in JAMA Pediatrics, compared two groups of first-time mothers and their children, who received nurse guidance, including home visits, during the child’s first two years. One group received education on responsive parenting, focusing on responding to children’s emotional and physical needs in areas like feeding, sleep, play, and emotional regulation. The control group received education on home hazard identification and prevention.
Previous findings indicated positive effects on children’s weight outcomes through age 3. The new study tracked weight and BMI from ages 3 to 9, revealing that children in the responsive parenting group had significantly lower average BMIs compared to the control group. Notably, the beneficial effects were more pronounced in female participants.
“These findings highlight the potential for early-life interventions to make a lasting impact,” said Dr. Jennifer Savage, Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Director of Penn State’s CCOR. “By fostering early-life responsive parenting practices, we can help establish healthy growth trajectories that may reduce the risk of obesity as children grow.”
However, Dr. Paul cautioned that the effects diminished over time. “Our intervention stopped when the participating children were two years old and focused on the parenting of young children rather than behaviors and risk-factors that emerge among school-aged children,” he explained. “While we are delighted that we made an impact early on, the fact that the beneficial effects disappeared by age 9 is not surprising, given the obesogenic environment we live in. Ongoing efforts to reinforce healthy habits throughout childhood may be necessary to sustain these benefits.”
The researchers emphasize that diet and exercise alone are insufficient to combat childhood obesity and that promoting responsive parenting practices is crucial. They believe these practices can play a vital role in fostering healthier futures for children.
More information: Ian M. Paul et al, Long-Term Effects of a Responsive Parenting Intervention on Child Weight Outcomes Through Age 9 Years, JAMA Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6897
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided by the Penn State College of Medicine and the Center for Childhood Obesity Research. Further research and individual consultations with healthcare professionals are recommended for personalized advice. The findings presented may not be universally applicable, and individual results may vary.
