Mother of two young children Mel Leedham is keen to participate in a trial helping parents to instill healthy habits in their kids.
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A collaborative study by researchers from the University of Wollongong's Early Start, NSW Health and the University of Newcastle is looking at ways to help parents and carers to develop healthy eating, physical activity, screen time and sleep habits in young children.
The researchers are conducting a trial of healthy eating and active living programs, and are seeking parents with children aged 2 to 6 years to take part in the trial.
Mrs Leedham from North Nowra would be happy for her boys Van, 4 and Neo, 2 to take part in the study.
"Parents are really busy nowadays and you really just want quick information and really practical advice," she said.
"A lot of the time you know what you should be doing and what the kids should be eating but it is more about putting that into practice and overcoming all the barriers that come with that.
"One of my kids is what you would call a picky eater, so I'd be keen to get some advice on how I can get him eating better.
"A program like this is so needed because parents are busy and getting the correct information is vital."
Dr Megan Hammersley, an Associate Research Fellow at Early Start, said instilling healthy habits at a young age could deliver life-long benefits.
"Children who develop healthy habits from a young age are more likely to continue these habits into adulthood," Dr Hammersley said.
"Early childhood is really the crucial time to act. We know that people who have obesity in childhood are much more likely to have that track into adulthood and to be at risk of chronic diseases.
"To really make an impact, it's been shown that we need to intervene as early as possible to prevent those problems before they occur."
Participants in the study will take part in one of three 12-week programs: an online program; a telephone coaching program; or a program using printed tip sheets and a summary booklet.
The programs are free and can be completed at home at a time that is convenient for the participants.
In each of the programs, participants receive practical information and tips about healthy eating, physical activity, screen time and sleep.
Dr Hammersley said it was beneficial to work on children's eating patterns, physical activity, screen time and sleep habits together, rather than to focus on them individually.
"Particularly for healthy eating and physical activity, it's been proven that if you focus on both together it's more likely to be successful," she said.
"And of course screen time is a real issue now for parents. It is really important to look at the whole picture."
Visit here for more information about the study.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
