Evaluating a Mindful Eating Curriculum, Savor the Flavor

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this study is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and efficacy of the Savor the Flavor intervention.

Detailed Description
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The overall goal of this study is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and efficacy of the Savor the Flavor intervention. The goal of this curriculum is to teach children how to savor foods and slow down while eating by focusing on the sensory experience of eating. The intervention will also teach children attention control techniques so that they are better able to delay consumption of high energy, low nutrition foods, when appropriate.The study will also evaluate a modified version of the Eating in the Absence of Hunger task for use in a preschool classroom setting.

Official Title
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Evaluating a Mindful Eating Curriculum, Savor the Flavor to Promote Healthy Eating Among Head Start Preschool Children

Conditions
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Eating Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Savor the Flavor


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Child Inclusion Criteria: Child must be enrolled in a Head Start preschool center Child must be between the ages of 2 and 6 years old Child Exclusion Criteria: Food allergy or restriction to foods included in protocol Parent Inclusion Criteria: Parent or other primary caregiver of a child enrolled in the study 18 years of age or older English speaking Parent Exclusion Criteria: - None Teacher Inclusion Criteria: Actively employed as an early childhood education provider in the Head Start classroom where intervention is delivered 18 years of age or older Teacher Exclusion Criteria: - None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 2 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Selected classrooms will receive the Savor the Flavor intervention. Data will be collected prior to and after the intervention. Children, their parent/guardian, and classroom teachers will participate in the research.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Savor the Flavor<br>The Savor the Flavor curriculum is a series of five interactive lessons designed to teach children how to savor foods and slow down while eating by focusing on the sensory experience of eating. The intervention also teaches attention control techniques so that children are better able to delay consumption of high energy, low nutrition foods, when appropriate, as well as general mindfulness practices (e.g. breathing exercises). Lessons are delivered in the Head Start classroom by a nutrition educator. | Behavioral: Savor the Flavor<br>* A series of five interactive classroom lessons focused on mindfulness in eating.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in eating in the absence of hunger from pre to post intervention | Children will be given seven minutes of free access to a variety of palatable snacks and toys during a time when they are not hungry (e.g. after a meal). Intake of snacks is determined by pre and post weighing the foods. | Pre intervention and at conclusion of 5 week intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recall of Savor the Flavor steps | Children will be asked to recall the five steps of Savor the Flavor | At conclusion of 5 week intervention | 
| Acceptability of intervention | Teachers will complete a questionnaire with scaled and open-ended questions about the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention | At conclusion of 5 week intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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obesity, mindfullness, eating, snacking, children