Early Responsive Parenting Intervention Shows Modest, Short-Term Impact on Childhood Obesity

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A responsive parenting intervention delivered in infancy led to lower body mass index (BMI) in children through middle childhood, though its effects diminished over time, according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics.¹

The single‐center randomized clinical trial, conducted by the 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 examines obesity prevention strategies in early life.¹

“In the United States, childhood obesity rates remain alarmingly high, with over 22% of children 6 to 19 years old classified as obese,” Ian Paul, MD, MSc, principal investigator, of the Department of Pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, said in a news release. “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.”²

Paul and colleagues followed 232 first-time mothers and their children who received home visits and guidance from nurses during the first 2 years after birth. One group received education on responsive parenting, which emphasized recognizing and responding to a child’s cues related to feeding, sleep, play, and emotional regulation. The control group received guidance on home safety measures.¹

The research team reported that children in the responsive parenting group had a lower mean BMI than those in the control group from ages 3 to 9 years (16.64 vs 17.07; P = .049). They also observed that sex moderated this effect. Female participants in the responsive parenting group had a lower mean BMI than female participants in the control group (16.32 vs 17.32; P = .007), with no group differences among male participants.¹

In addition, cross-sectional analyses revealed no differences in BMI z scores or prevalence of overweight or obesity at ages 5, 6, and 9 years between the responsive parenting group and the control group with no significant differences in BMI z scores or prevalence of overweight or obesity at ages 5, 6, and 9 years between the responsive parenting group and the control group.¹

“These findings highlight the potential for early-life interventions to make a lasting impact,” Jennifer Savage, PhD, co-principal investigator and professor of nutritional sciences and director of Penn State’s Center for Childhood Obesity Research, said in a news release. “By fostering responsive parenting practices, we can help establish healthy growth trajectories that may reduce obesity risk as children grow.”²

References:

1. Paul IM, Barton JM, Anzman-Frasca S, et al. Long-term effects of a responsive parenting intervention on child weight outcomes through age 9 years: The INSIGHT randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. Published online March 10, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6897

2. Early-life responsive parenting intervention yields lasting but diminishing benefits on child weight. News release. Penn State Health. March 10, 2025. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2025/03/early-life-responsive-parenting-intervention-yields-lasting-but-diminishing-benefits-on-child-weight/