Promoting recommended infant feeding practices in a low income sample - randomised controlled trial of a peer support intervention

ISRCTN	ISRCTN55500035
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN55500035
Protocol serial number	N09016
Sponsor	Food Standards Agency (UK)
Funder	Food Standards Agency (UK) (ref: N09016)

Submission date: 09/07/2007
Registration date: 19/07/2007
Last edited: 21/01/2009

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof Richard Watt
Scientific

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
University College London (UCL)
1-19 Torrington Place
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Randomised single-blind controlled trial
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title
Study objectives	Nutrition in early life is a key determinant of growth, development and health status, both in childhood and later adult life. Current UK recommendations advise all mothers to exclusively breastfeed for six months, and to delay introducing solids until at least six months. Data from national surveys show that infant feeding practices in the UK are, however, highly variable. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer support on infant feeding outcomes and in particular weaning practices. The research hypothesis was that compared with standard professional infant feeding support alone, the provision of peer support plus standard professional care will increase the consumption of vitamin C from fruit, and have a positive impact on other infant feeding practices with infants aged 3 months to 12 months living in lower income homes.
Ethics approval(s)	Approval given by the North London Community Research Consortium: Camden and Islington Community Health Service on the 1st February 2002 (ref: LREC 02113).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Nutrition, infant feeding practices
Intervention	A group of local volunteers were recruited and trained to provide non-judgemental support and practical assistance on infant feeding, and in particular weaning practices. Home-based support was offered over a nine-month period until the infants were 12 months old. In total, 758 home visits were made and the mean length of each visit was 60 minutes. On average each mother in the intervention group received five volunteer visits. Mothers in the control group received standard professional care only.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	The primary outcome was vitamin C in fruit. All outcomes were measured at baseline when infants were 10 weeks old, post intervention when subjects were 12 months old and follow up when they were 18 months old.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Secondary outcomes were: 1. Macro- and selected micro-nutrient intakes 2. Fruit and vegetable consumption 3. Feeding practices 4. Child growth and health 5. Use of health services In addition, information was also gathered on the mother's health, well-being, fruit and vegetable consumption and nutritional knowledge and confidence. All outcomes were measured at baseline when infants were 10 weeks old, post intervention when subjects were 12 months old and follow up when they were 18 months old.
Completion date	01/04/2006

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Sex	Female
Target sample size at registration	318
Key inclusion criteria	1. Women from social classes II - V 2. Babies born greater than 37 weeks 3. Babies birth weight above 2500 g 4. Women able to understand written and oral English 5. Women resident in the Camden and Islington areas
Key exclusion criteria	1. Women who were under 17 years 2. Infants who were diagnosed with a serious medical condition or who were on special diets due to medical problems 3. Infants aged over 12 weeks 4. Professional households from social class I 5. Women unable to communicate effectively in English
Date of first enrolment	01/02/2002
Date of final enrolment	01/04/2006

Locations

Countries of recruitment

United Kingdom
England

Study participating centre

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health

London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Results article	results	01/02/2009		Yes	No
Protocol article	Protocol	01/09/2006		Yes	No
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes
Study website	Study website	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes