Grant: CIHR New Investigator

The overarching goal of my research is to improve the health of Canadian children by developing effective family-based obesity prevention interventions. To achieve this goal, my research plan is to conduct epidemiologic research to identify modifiable family factors that influence children's obesity risk (Aims 1 and 2) and translate that knowledge into obesity prevention interventions (Aim 3). Aim 1 is to identify how parental feeding practices influence children's dietary intake and weight. Most prior feeding research is cross-sectional and based on parental self-report, providing little understanding of how traits of the parent, child, and environment interact to affect dietary intake. To address this gap, I will conduct a longitudinal study that uses direct observation to explore how parental feeding practices influence children's intake and weight. Aim 2 is to identify how the general family environment influences children's weight. There is a paucity of research exploring how the general family context, e.g., family functioning, influences children's weight related behaviours. I have started to address this gap through my NIH-funded study exploring how general family factors influence adolescent behaviour. I aim to extend this research to explore these associations among families with young children through the Guelph Family Health Study, a family-based cohort study. Aim 3 is to test family-based obesity prevention interventions. Intervening among young children requires changing the behaviours of their parents. However, most obesity interventions have been unsuccessful in engaging parents. Using findings from Aims 1 and 2 and building on the success of my previous interventions, I will test the effectiveness of a tailored, family-based obesity prevention intervention. By determining the most effective ways to change behaviours of young children, the results of this research will optimize childhood obesity prevention and pediatric care in Canada.