Researchers tested whether a 6-month home-based program could help prevent weight gain in young children and their parents. The program focused on healthy family meals, limiting screen time, increasing physical activity, and improving sleep habits. The study included 376 children (average age 3.6 years) and 481 parents. While both the program group and the comparison group showed slight weight decreases, the home-based program didn’t work better than simply sending families health emails. The findings suggest that preventing childhood obesity may require different or more intensive approaches than what was tested here.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a 6-month home-based program teaching families about healthy eating, exercise, screen time limits, and sleep could prevent weight gain in preschool-aged children and their parents
  • Who participated: 376 children averaging 3.6 years old (about 20% were overweight or at risk, 8% had obesity) and 481 parents (58% were overweight or had obesity) from 285 families
  • Key finding: The intervention group showed a small decrease in BMI of 0.23 kg/m² compared to the control group’s 0.17 kg/m² decrease—a difference so small it could have happened by chance. The same pattern held true one year later
  • What it means for you: This particular home-based approach didn’t prevent weight gain better than simply receiving health information emails. If you’re concerned about your child’s weight, talk to your pediatrician about other evidence-based strategies, as this study suggests more intensive or different interventions may be needed

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly assigned 285 families into two groups: one received a 6-month home-based obesity prevention program, while the other group (the control) received 6 emails about child health behaviors. The intervention group participated in a structured program designed to help families establish healthier routines around meals, screen time, physical activity, and sleep. Researchers measured the body mass index (BMI) of children and parents at the start, immediately after the 6-month program ended, and again one year later.

The study was well-designed because it included a control group for comparison, which helps researchers determine whether any changes were actually caused by the program rather than just happening naturally over time. The researchers also followed families for a full year after the program ended to see if benefits lasted.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps eliminate bias and shows cause-and-effect relationships. By comparing the intervention group to a control group that received minimal support, researchers could determine whether the program itself made a difference. Following families for a year after the program also helps answer whether benefits stick around or fade away.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonable number of families (285), used random assignment to reduce bias, measured outcomes at multiple time points, and followed families for a full year. However, the study only measured BMI and didn’t track whether families actually followed the program recommendations, which could affect the results. The study was also limited to one geographic area (Guelph, Canada), so results may not apply to all populations.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that the home-based intervention did not significantly reduce BMI in children or parents compared to the control group. Children in the intervention group had a BMI decrease of 0.23 kg/m² after 6 months, while control children decreased by 0.17 kg/m²—a difference of only 0.06 kg/m² that could easily be due to chance. At the one-year follow-up, the intervention group showed a 0.29 kg/m² decrease while controls showed a 0.06 kg/m² decrease, but this difference was also not statistically significant.

Parents in both groups also showed minimal changes in BMI with no meaningful difference between the intervention and control groups. The researchers noted that both groups showed slight improvements, but these improvements were so small they could have happened naturally without any intervention.

These results were surprising because the program was based on established healthy behaviors (family meals, physical activity, screen time limits, and sleep) that previous research suggests are important for weight management. The lack of effect suggests that simply teaching families about these behaviors in a home-based format may not be enough to create lasting change.

The study noted that at baseline, about 20% of children were at risk for overweight and 8% had overweight or obesity, while 58% of parents had overweight or obesity. These high baseline rates suggest the families who participated were exactly the ones who could benefit most from an obesity prevention program. The fact that the intervention didn’t work in this high-risk group is particularly noteworthy.

Previous research has shown that family-based interventions can help with weight management, but many of those studies involved more intensive programs with regular in-person contact, professional counseling, or behavioral coaching. This study’s home-based approach with limited professional contact may not have provided enough support or accountability. The findings align with other recent research suggesting that simply providing information about healthy behaviors isn’t enough—families may need more intensive support, personalized coaching, or environmental changes to successfully prevent weight gain.

Several limitations should be considered: First, the study didn’t measure whether families actually followed the program recommendations, so we don’t know if lack of effect was due to the program itself or families not participating fully. Second, the study only measured BMI and didn’t track other important health markers like fitness, diet quality, or physical activity levels. Third, the study was conducted in one Canadian city, so results may not apply to families in other regions or countries with different cultures and resources. Fourth, the study only followed families for one year, so we don’t know if effects might appear over longer periods. Finally, the control group received some health information via email, which may have reduced the difference between groups.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study alone, a home-based program similar to the one tested is not recommended as a primary obesity prevention strategy for young children (low confidence). However, this doesn’t mean families shouldn’t focus on healthy eating, physical activity, screen time limits, and sleep—these remain important for overall health. If you’re concerned about your child’s weight, consult your pediatrician about more intensive, personalized approaches that may include professional support, family counseling, or behavioral coaching. The study suggests that more comprehensive interventions may be needed.

Parents of preschool-aged children, especially those concerned about weight gain or obesity prevention, should be aware of these findings. Healthcare providers recommending obesity prevention programs should consider that home-based programs with limited professional contact may not be sufficient. Policymakers and program developers should use these results to design more intensive interventions. This study is less relevant for families with older children or those already receiving professional weight management support.

This study measured changes over 6 months of intervention plus 1 year of follow-up. Even if the program had worked, meaningful weight changes typically take several months to appear. Realistic expectations for any weight management program are gradual changes over 3-6 months, with continued effort needed to maintain benefits long-term.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track family meal times (number of meals eaten together per week), daily screen time hours for children, and minutes of physical activity per day. These are the specific behaviors the intervention targeted, and monitoring them helps identify which habits need the most attention.
  • Start with one small change: establish one family meal together per day without screens, or set a specific screen time limit and track adherence. The study suggests that simply knowing about healthy behaviors isn’t enough, so using an app to track actual behavior changes and celebrate small wins may help create lasting habits.
  • Use the app to monitor weekly trends in family meals, screen time, and activity rather than focusing solely on weight. Since BMI changes slowly, tracking the behaviors themselves provides more immediate feedback and motivation. Set reminders for healthy routines and review progress monthly to identify which strategies work best for your family.

This study found that a specific home-based obesity prevention program did not significantly reduce weight in children or parents compared to a control group. These findings do not mean obesity prevention is unimportant—rather, they suggest that more intensive or different approaches may be needed. This research should not replace personalized medical advice from your pediatrician or healthcare provider. If you have concerns about your child’s weight or health, consult with a qualified healthcare professional who can assess your child’s individual circumstances and recommend appropriate interventions. Weight management is complex and may require professional support, dietary counseling, or other evidence-based treatments.