Texting parents may help keep babies at a healthy weight

NCT ID NCT04042467

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether giving parents extra support through text messages and a website could help prevent obesity in babies. 900 families were split into two groups: one got standard advice on healthy habits, and the other also got texts and goal-setting tools. Researchers tracked the babies' weight and length for two years to see if the extra support made a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: behavioral intervention (text messages, website, goal-setting)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a simple, low-cost way for doctors to help families prevent childhood obesity starting from birth.
What could go wrong: This is a completed study, so results are available. However, the intervention is behavioral, so its impact may be modest and may not work for all families or in different settings.

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.

Health Behavior Pediatric Obesity obesity disorder prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BEHAVIOR, HEALTH CHILD OBESITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina, 27708, United States
New York University

New York, New York, 10003, United States
Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States
University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37203-2494, United States

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