Dads as health heroes: study tests coaching for new parents to curb baby weight gain
NCT ID NCT04477577
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving extra health coaching to new parents—especially fathers—could help prevent rapid weight gain in babies and reduce obesity risk. Researchers enrolled 657 parents from Massachusetts General Hospital and randomly assigned them to either receive coaching on healthy habits or just safety information. The goal was to see if the coaching led to healthier infant growth and better long-term health for the whole family.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- health coaching and safety education
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to prevent childhood obesity by supporting both parents early on.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study, but results may not apply to all families. The intervention is behavioral, so effects may vary widely.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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