Researchers are testing a new smartphone app called “Good Start Matters” designed to help parents work together to encourage healthy eating, exercise, and less screen time in young children (ages 2.5 to 6). Unlike older programs that only talked to one parent, this app includes both parents and focuses on how well they cooperate as a team. The study involves 183 families in Canada who will either use the app right away or wait two months to use it. Scientists will measure whether the app actually helps parents make better choices for their kids and whether children end up eating better, playing more, and watching less TV.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a smartphone app that helps both parents work together improve how families handle food, exercise, and screen time for young children?
  • Who participated: 183 families from childcare centers in British Columbia, Canada with children ages 2.5 to 6 years old. Most families had two parents participating, though some single-parent families also joined. All parents needed to speak English and own a smartphone.
  • Key finding: This is a protocol paper describing the study plan, not final results yet. Researchers expect to publish actual findings in 2026 after analyzing data collected through April 2025.
  • What it means for you: If the app works as hoped, parents may soon have a tool to help them make healthier choices for their young children together. However, wait for the actual results before deciding if it’s right for your family.

The Research Details

This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest ways to test if something actually works. Researchers randomly divided families into two groups: one group got immediate access to the Good Start Matters app, while the other group (called the “waitlist control”) waited about two months before getting access. This waiting group helps scientists figure out if changes happen because of the app or just because time passed.

Families answered questions about their eating habits, exercise routines, and screen time before starting the app and again after two months. The app focuses on helping both parents agree on healthy rules and work together as a team, which is different from older programs that only taught one parent.

The researchers used special statistical methods to handle the information because families are nested within childcare centers, meaning some children came from the same centers. They also planned to look at whether families who used the app more got better results than those who used it less.

Most childhood obesity prevention programs only focus on one parent, usually the mom. This study is important because it recognizes that kids do better when both parents work together. By testing an app designed for two parents, researchers can see if teamwork between caregivers makes these programs more effective. This approach could change how we help families raise healthier kids.

This is a well-designed study with several strengths: it uses random assignment (which reduces bias), includes both parents (which is innovative), and plans to follow families over time. The study was registered before it started, which is a good practice. However, since this is a protocol paper, the actual results aren’t available yet. The study only included English-speaking families with smartphones, so results may not apply to all families. Results are expected in 2026.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan rather than actual results. The researchers collected data from November 2023 through April 2025 from 121 two-parent families and 62 one-parent families. They measured parenting practices (how parents handle food, activity, and screen time), how well parents agree with each other on these practices, and children’s actual behaviors like eating habits, playtime, and screen time.

The study used a two-month intervention period, meaning families either got the app immediately or waited two months. This design allows researchers to see if changes happen because of the app specifically. Data cleaning and analysis began in May 2025, with final results expected to be published in 2026.

When results are published, researchers will examine whether the app improved how parents work together, whether it changed parenting practices, and most importantly, whether children actually ate better, played more, and watched less screen time. They’ll also look at whether families that used the app more frequently saw bigger improvements.

Beyond the main questions, researchers will examine how much families actually used the app and whether using it more led to better results. They’ll also look at whether the app worked equally well for all types of families or if some families benefited more than others. These details will help future programs understand who benefits most from this type of technology.

Previous parenting programs for obesity prevention have shown modest results, meaning they help but not as much as researchers hoped. Many of these older programs only involved one parent, usually the mother. The Good Start Matters app is different because it specifically includes both parents and focuses on how well they cooperate. If this app works better than older programs, it could be because teamwork between parents is more powerful than teaching just one parent. This study will help answer that important question.

This study only included families where both parents spoke English and owned smartphones, so results may not apply to families without these resources. The study took place in British Columbia, Canada, so results might differ in other regions or countries with different cultures and healthcare systems. Families also had to have children without serious health conditions, so results may not apply to children with special medical needs. Additionally, families knew they were being studied, which sometimes changes how people behave. Finally, this is a relatively short study (two months), so we don’t know if benefits last longer.

The Bottom Line

Wait for the actual results in 2026 before making decisions about using this app. Once published, if the app shows it helps parents work together and improves children’s health behaviors, it could be worth trying if you have a young child and a co-parent. The app appears designed for families with smartphones and English fluency, so check if it fits your situation. Confidence level: High confidence in the study design, but results are still pending.

Parents of children ages 2.5 to 6 years old should pay attention to these results, especially if you co-parent with another adult and want help making healthy choices together. Childcare providers and pediatricians may also find this useful for recommending to families. This study may not apply to single parents, families without smartphones, or families who don’t speak English. Families with children who have serious health conditions should consult their doctor before using any new program.

The study measured changes over two months, so if the app works, you might expect to see some improvements in family routines within that timeframe. However, building lasting healthy habits usually takes longer. Real-world results may take 3-6 months to become noticeable in your family’s daily life.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly family agreement on healthy rules (both parents rate agreement on a scale of 1-10) and monitor child screen time in 30-minute increments daily to see if it decreases over four weeks.
  • Set one specific family goal together (like “screen time only after dinner” or “outdoor play three times per week”) and use the app to remind both parents of the goal and track progress weekly.
  • Check in every two weeks as a co-parenting team using the app’s features to discuss what’s working and what’s hard. Track your child’s typical day (meals, playtime, screen time) monthly to spot patterns and celebrate improvements.

This article describes a research study protocol, not final results. The Good Start Matters app’s effectiveness has not yet been proven. Results are expected in 2026. Always consult with your pediatrician before making major changes to your child’s diet, activity level, or screen time, especially if your child has any health conditions. This study was conducted in Canada with English-speaking families, so results may not apply to all populations. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.