Online Feeding Education for Fathers of Children With Feeding Problems

NCT07769216 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 17.03.2026-58
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of a four-week online feeding awareness training program for fathers of typically developing children aged 3-6 years. The study will examine changes in fathers' parental self-efficacy and feeding attitudes, as well as their children's eating and mealtime behaviors. The main research question is whether an online awareness training program for fathers can improve parental self-efficacy and feeding attitudes and contribute to positive changes in children's eating behaviors. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a four-week follow-up.

Conditions

Feeding Problems; Parent Training; Parent Child Relationship; Feeding Behaviors; Fathers

Keywords

feeding problem; parent training; father-child interaction; feeding behavior; parenting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Parental Self-Efficacy Scale

  The Parental Self-Efficacy Scale is a 17-item, 7-point Likert-type measure used to assess parental self-efficacy. Each item is scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), resulting in a total score ranging from 17 to 119. Higher scores indicate greater parental self-efficacy.

  Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 4-week intervention (Week 4), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (Week 8).

• Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS)

  The Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) is a parent-reported measure used to assess children's eating and mealtime behaviors. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). The Turkish adaptation evaluates the 25 items related to the child's feeding behaviors. Higher scores indicate more problematic eating behaviors and greater feeding difficulties.

  Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 4-week intervention (Week 4), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (Week 8).

• Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire

  The Parental Feeding Style Scale is a 27-item, 5-point Likert-type measure used to assess parents' attitudes and behaviors related to feeding their children. Each item is scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with total scores ranging from 27 to 135. Higher scores indicate a greater presence of the corresponding parental feeding style. The Turkish version includes four feeding-style dimensions assessing parental control, guidance, and emotional responses during feeding.

  Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately after the 4-week intervention (Week 4), and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention (Week 8).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Participant Satisfaction With the Online Feeding Awareness Training

  Immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention (Week 4).

Study Arms (1)

Online Feeding Awareness Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive a four-week online feeding awareness training program for fathers. The program consists of four weekly 60-minute group sessions covering: (1) motor, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial skills related to feeding; (2) sensory processing and sensory strategies for mealtimes; (3) parental feeding attitudes and behavioral strategies; and (4) parental self-efficacy, emotion regulation, and stress management. Each session includes educational content, discussion, a question-and-answer section, and recommendations for home practice.

Other: Online Feeding Awareness Training for Fathers

Interventions

Online Feeding Awareness Training for Fathers OTHER

The intervention is a four-week online group-based feeding awareness training program developed for fathers of children aged 3-6 years. It consists of four weekly 60-minute sessions delivered via Google Teams. The sessions focus on: (1) motor, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial skills involved in feeding; (2) sensory processing differences and sensory strategies that can be used before mealtimes; (3) parental feeding attitudes, mealtime routines, positive reinforcement, and behavioral strategies; and (4) parental self-efficacy, emotion regulation, stress management, and brief relaxation and mindfulness strategies. Each session includes educational content, discussion, a question-and-answer section, and recommendations for home practice.

Online Feeding Awareness Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Fathers aged 18 years or older who have a typically developing child aged 3-6 years.
• The child has not previously received feeding therapy or occupational therapy intervention.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a serious psychiatric condition or a condition that may affect cognitive functioning in either the father or the child.
• Missing more than one session of the training program.
• Lack of access to digital devices or the internet.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Medipol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Medipol University

Ankara, Ankara, 06050, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior, Animal; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Rukiye Begüm Koca Şentürk, PhD

CONTACT

+09535 447 48 49; rukiye.koca@ankaramedipol.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 12, 2026
• First Posted: August 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 13, 2026
• Primary Completion: August 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 2, 2026
• Last Updated: August 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)