Researchers in Denmark are testing a new program called Bloom that helps families with babies and toddlers develop healthy eating and activity habits from birth. The program includes home visits from nurses, phone check-ins, parent groups, and videos—all designed to prevent weight problems early in life. About 3,200 families will participate, with some getting the program and others serving as a comparison group. Scientists will track children’s weight and health habits until age 3 to see if starting healthy habits in infancy makes a real difference in preventing childhood obesity.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a program that teaches families about healthy eating, sleep, activity, and screen time during a child’s first three years help prevent weight problems?
  • Who participated: About 3,200 first-time parents in Denmark with babies, starting during pregnancy and continuing until their child turns 2.5 years old. The families are spread across 22 different towns.
  • Key finding: This is a study plan being tested now—results aren’t available yet. The main goal is to see if children in the program have healthier weights at age 3 compared to children whose families didn’t get the program.
  • What it means for you: If successful, this program could become a standard way to help all new parents give their babies the best start for healthy weight development. However, we need to wait for the results to know if it actually works.

The Research Details

This is a carefully designed test of a new health program. Researchers divided 22 Danish towns into two groups randomly—like flipping a coin. Eleven towns get the Bloom program right away, while eleven towns wait and serve as a comparison group. This setup helps researchers see if the program actually makes a difference, rather than just assuming it does.

The Bloom program starts when mothers are about 5-6 months pregnant and continues until children turn 2.5 years old. Families in the program receive four types of support: nurses visit their homes to teach healthy habits, nurses call to check in and answer questions, parents can join groups to learn and connect with other families, and families can watch videos about healthy routines.

Researchers created this program carefully by reviewing what science shows works, talking with families about what they need, and getting input from health experts. They’re measuring many things—not just weight, but also eating habits, sleep, activity levels, screen time, and how secure families feel.

Starting healthy habits early in life is much easier than trying to change them later. Babies and toddlers are developing their eating preferences and activity patterns, so this is the perfect time to set them up for success. By testing this in a real-world setting with regular families, researchers can see if a program delivered through existing health services actually helps prevent obesity.

This study has several strengths: it’s being done in real communities with real families (not just in a lab), it involves many families across different towns, it started with careful planning based on science, and it will measure multiple health factors—not just weight. The study is registered officially so results will be shared publicly. However, because families know they’re in a program, there might be some extra effort just from being watched. The results will only apply to Denmark’s healthcare system, though similar programs might work elsewhere.

What the Results Show

This is a study protocol—a detailed plan for research that hasn’t been completed yet. The researchers haven’t collected or analyzed results. They’re planning to measure children’s weight (using a special calculation called BMI z-score) at age 3 to see if the Bloom program helps children stay at healthier weights compared to the comparison group.

The study will also look at whether the program helps families develop better habits around eating, sleeping, moving, and screen time. These habits are important because they influence whether children develop weight problems.

Results are expected in the coming years as families complete the program and children reach age 3. When results are available, they’ll be published in scientific journals and shared with health officials in Denmark and other countries.

Beyond weight, researchers will examine how the program affects eating habits and meal routines, sleep quality and duration, physical activity and motor skill development, screen time habits, and how confident and supported families feel. These factors all influence healthy weight development, so understanding which ones change most could help improve future programs.

Many studies show that early childhood is critical for preventing obesity, and that family-based programs work better than programs targeting only children. This study builds on that knowledge by testing whether a comprehensive program delivered through existing health services in Denmark can prevent weight problems from the start. Similar programs have shown promise in other countries, but this will be one of the first large tests in Denmark’s specific healthcare system.

Because families know they’re in a program, they might try harder to follow healthy habits just from being observed—this could make the program look better than it actually is. The study only includes first-time parents in Denmark, so results might not apply to families with multiple children or in other countries with different healthcare systems. Some families might drop out before the study ends, which could affect results. The program requires significant resources (home visits, phone calls, groups), so it might be expensive to offer everywhere.

The Bottom Line

Wait for study results before making decisions. This is a promising approach based on good science, but we need to see if it actually works in practice. If results are positive, families with babies and toddlers should ask their healthcare providers about similar programs. Parents can start healthy habits now by focusing on regular meals, adequate sleep, active play, and limiting screen time—these are recommended regardless of this study.

New and expecting parents should care about this research because preventing weight problems early is much easier than treating them later. Healthcare workers and government officials should care because this could inform how they support families. Parents of older children won’t benefit from this specific program, but the healthy habits it teaches apply to all ages.

The study will take several years to complete. Families will participate for about 2.5 years, then researchers need time to analyze results. Full results probably won’t be available until 2027-2028. If the program works, it could take another 1-2 years to train enough nurses and set it up in other areas.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s eating schedule, sleep hours, active play time, and screen time daily. Compare these habits weekly to see if you’re meeting healthy targets: 3 meals plus 1-2 snacks, 11-14 hours sleep, 30+ minutes active play, and less than 1 hour screen time for toddlers.
  • Use the app to set one habit goal per week—for example, ’establish a consistent bedtime routine’ or ‘add one new vegetable to meals.’ Check off days you succeed, and celebrate weekly wins with your family.
  • Create a monthly summary showing trends in your child’s habits. Track whether routines are becoming more consistent, screen time is decreasing, and active play is increasing. Share this with your pediatrician at check-ups to discuss progress.

This article describes a research study plan, not completed results. The Bloom Study is currently underway and results are not yet available. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Every child is different, and healthy weight development depends on many factors including genetics, health conditions, and family circumstances. Talk with your child’s doctor about what’s healthy for your specific child rather than relying on general information. If you have concerns about your child’s weight or development, consult your healthcare provider.