INFANT is based on more than 15 years of research led by the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Australia.
- Timeline
- Logic Model
- People
Timeline
- 2007
- 2008 - 2013
- 2013 - 2016
- 2017 - 2019
- 2020 - 2025
Development of INFANT
INFANT was developed to promote healthy eating, physical activity (active play) and reduce sedentary behaviours that would enable health across life. The first 1000 days of life are a critical time for establishing healthy eating and activity behaviours that can have health and economic benefits into adulthood.
Systematic reviews of existing interventions in this population, interviews with maternal and child health nurses and focus groups with parents were conducted to inform the development of the INFANT program.
Key investigators
Professor Karen Campbell
Key relevant papers
Hesketh, K.D., Hinkley, T., & Campbell, K.J. (2012). "Children’s physical activity and screen time: qualitative comparison of views of parents of infants and preschool children." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9,152. 10.1186/1479-5868-9-152
Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K. (2010). "Interventions to prevent obesity in 0-5 year olds: an updated systematic review of the literature." Obesity, 18 (S1), S27-S35. 10.1038/oby.2009.429
Campbell, K., Hesketh, K., Silverii, A., & Abbott, G. (2010). "Maternal self-efficacy regarding children’s eating and sedentary behaviours in the early years: Associations with children’s food intake and sedentary behaviours." International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 5(6), 501–508. 10.3109/17477161003777425
Efficacy Trial
This study was a cluster randomised controlled trial within local government areas around Melbourne, Australia. It involved 542 first time mothers with infants between 4-20 months of age.
Parents and carers were in one of two groups – those receiving usual care and those receiving INFANT offered as six sessions delivered over the infants’ first 18 months of life. Families were followed up when their children were 3.5 and 5 years of age.
This early trial had positive effects on a range of parents’ and children’s behaviours, with benefits still evident at 5 years of age
- At 18 months old – children watched less television, consumed fewer snacks, had improved dietary quality and lower unhealthy lifestyle behaviour patterns. Children of younger and less educated mothers drank more water and ate more vegetables [3]. Mothers’ diets were also improved [4].
- At 3.5 and 5 years old – children consumed more fruit and vegetables and more water at 3.5 years of age, and less sugar sweetened drinks at 5 years. At both ages, children consumed less sweet snacks, viewed less television (approaching significance) [5], and had lower unhealthy lifestyle behaviour patterns.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Zheng,M., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton,S.A., Salmon, J., Crawford, D., Cameron,A., Lioret,S., & Campbell, K.J. (2022). "Quantifying the overall impact of an early childhood mulit-behavioural lifestyle intervention." Pediatric Obesity,17(3), Article e12861. 10.1111/ijpo.12861
Hesketh, K.D., Salmon, J., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Abbott, G., Cameron, A.J., Lioret, D, Gold, L., Downing, K.L., & Campbell, K.J. (2020). "Long-term outcomes (2 and 3.5 years post-intervention) of the INFANT early childhood intervention to improve health behaviors and reduce obesity: cluster randomised controlled trial follow-up." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17, 95. 10.1186/s12966-020-00994-9
Cameron, A. J., Ball, K., Hesketh, K.D.,McNaughton, S.A., Salmon, J., Crawford, D.A., Lioret, S., & Campbell, K.J. (2014). "Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program according to maternal education and age." Preventive Medicine, 58, 58-63. 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.10.021
Campbell, K. J., Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D.A., Salmon, J., Ball, K., McCallum, Z., Gerner, B.E., Spence, A.C., Cameron, A.J., Hnatiuk, J.A., Ukoumunne, O.C., Gold, L., Abbott, G., & Hesketh, K.D (2013). "A parent-focused intervention to reduce infant obesity risk behaviors: a randomized trial." Pediatrics, 131(4), 652-660. 10.1542/peds.2012-2576
Hesketh, K. D., Campbell, K., Salmon, J., McNaughton, S.A, McCallum, Z., Cameron, A., Ball, K., Gold, L., Andrianopoulos, N., & Crawford, D. (2013). "The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program follow-up." Contemporary Clinical Trials, 34(1),145-151. 10.1016/j.cct.2012.10.008
Spence, A. C., McNaughton, S.A., Lioret, S., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D.A., & Campbell, K.J., (2013). "A health promotion intervention can affect diet quality in early childhood." The Journal of Nutrition, 143(10), 1672-1678. 10.3945/jn.113.177931
Campbell, K., Hesketh, K., Crawford,D., Salmon, J., Ball, K., & McCallum, Z. (2008). "The Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity: cluster-randomised controlled trial." BMC Public Health, 8,103. 10.1186/1471-2458-8-103
Other relevant papers
Barnett, L.M., Hnatiuk, J.A., D’Souza, N., Salmon, J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2021). "What factors help young children develop positive perceptions of their motor skills?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 759. 10.3390/ijerph18020759
Hesketh, K.D., Kuswara, K., Abbott, G., Salmon, J., Hnatiuk, J., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). "How to change young children’s physical and sedentary behaviour: mechanisms of behaviour change in the INFANT cluster-randomized controlled trial." Children, 8(6),470. 10.3390/children8060470
Nyström, C.D., Abbott, G., Cameron, A.J., Campbell, K.J., Löf, M., Salmon, J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2021). "Maternal knowledge explains screen time differences 2 and 3.5 years post-intervention in INFANT." European Journal of Pediatrics, 180, 3391-3398. 10.1007/s00431-021-04134-8
Nyström, C.D., Cameron, A., Campbell, K., & Hesketh, K. (2021). "Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) according to maternal education and age 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention." Public Health Nutrition, 24(6),1460. 10.1017/S1368980021000045
Zheng, M., Hesketh, K.D., Wu, J.H.Y., Heitmann, B.L., Downing, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). "Nighttime sleep duration trajectories were associated with body mass index trajectories in early childhood." Pediatric Obesity, 16(7), Article e12766. 10.1111/ijpo.12766
Brown, V., Tan, E.J., Hayes, A., Baur, L., Campbell, K., Taylor, R., Byrne, R., Wen, L.M., Hesketh, K.D., & Moodie, M. (2020). "Cost comparison of five Australasian obesity prevention interventions for children aged from birth to two years." Pediatric Obesity, 15(12), Article e12684. 10.1111/ijpo.12684
Lioret, S., Campbell, K.J., McNaughton, S.A., Cameron, A.J., Salmon, J., Abbott, G., & Hesketh, K.D. (2020). "Lifestyle patterns begin in early childhood, persist and are socioeconomically patterned, confirming the importance of early life interventions." Nutrients, 12(3), 724. 10.3390/nu12030724
Laws, R., Walsh, A.D, Hesketh, K.D., Downing, K.L., Kuswara, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2019). "Differences Between Mothers and Fathers of Young Children in Their Use of the Internet to Support Healthy Family Lifestyle Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Study." Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1), Article e11454. 10.2196/11454
Ray, C., Campbell, K. & Hesketh, K. (2019). "Key messages in an early childhood obesity prevention intervention: are they recalled and do they impact children’s behaviour?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9),1550. 10.3390/ijerph16091550
Zheng, M., Bowe, S.J., Hesketh, K.D., Bolton, K., Laws, R., Kremer, P., Ong,K.K., Lioret, S., Denney-Wilson, E. & Campbell, K.J. (2019). "Relative effects of postnatal rapid growth and maternal factors on early childhood growth trajectories." Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 33(2), 172-180. 10.1111/ppe.12541
Fernando, N. N. T., Campbell, K.J., McNaughton, S.A., Zheng, M., & Lacy, K.E. (2018). "Predictors of Dietary Energy Density among Preschool Aged Children." Nutrients, 10(2), 178. 10.3390/nu10020178
Haines, J., Downing, K.L., Tang, L., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2018). "Associations between maternal concern about child’s weight and related behaviours and maternal weight-related parenting practices: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1), 104. 10.1186/s12966-018-0738-5
Spence, A. C., Campbell, K.J, Lioret, S., & McNaughton, S.A. (2018). "Early Childhood Vegetable, Fruit, and Discretionary Food Intakes Do Not Meet Dietary Guidelines, but Do Show Socioeconomic Differences and Tracking over Time." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(9), 1634-1643.e1. 10.1016/j.jand.2017.12.009
Barnett, L. M., Ridgers, N.D., Hesketh, K., & Salmon, J. (2017). "Setting them up for lifetime activity: Play competence perceptions and physical activity in young children." Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(9), 856-860. 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.003
Campbell, K. J., Abbott, G., Zheng, M., & McNaughton, S.A. (2017). "Early Life Protein Intake: Food Sources, Correlates, and Tracking across the First 5 Years of Life." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(8), 1188-1197.e1. 10.1016/j.jand.2017.03.016
Downing, K. L., Campbell, K.J., van der Pligt, P., & Hesketh, K.D. (2017). "Facilitator and Participant Use of Facebook in a Community-Based Intervention for Parents: The InFANT Extend Program." Childhood Obesity, 13(6), 443-454. 10.1089/chi.2017.0078
Hesketh, K. D., Downing, K.L., Campbell, K., Crawford, D., Salmon, J., & Hnatiuk, J.A. (2017). "Proportion of infants meeting the Australian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years: data from the Melbourne InFANT Program." BMC Public Health, 17(S5), 856. 10.1186/s12889-017-4856-9
Walsh, A. D., Crawford, D., Cameron, A.J., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2017). "Associations between the physical activity levels of fathers and their children at 20 months, 3.5 and five years of age." BMC Public Health, 17(1), 628. 10.1186/s12889-017-4545-8
Atkins, L. A., McNaughton, S.A., Campbell, K.J., & Szymlek-Gay, E.A. (2016). "Iron intakes of Australian infants and toddlers: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial Program." British Journal of Nutrition, 115(2), 285-293. 10.1017/S0007114515004286
Barnett, L. M., Salmon, J. & Hesketh, K.D. (2016). "More active pre-school children have better motor competence at school starting age: an observational cohort study." BMC Public Health, 16, 1068. 10.1186/s12889-016-3742-1
Campbell, K. J., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton, S.A., Ball, K., McCallum, Z., Lynch, J., & Crawford, D.A. (2016). "The extended Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT Extend) Program: a cluster-randomized controlled trial of an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity." BMC Public Health, 16, 166. 10.1186/s12889-016-2836-0
Collins, L. J., Lacy, K.E., Campbell, K.J., & McNaughton, S.A. (2016). "The Predictors of Diet Quality among Australian Children Aged 3.5 Years." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(7), 1114-1126.e2. 10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.014
Huddy, R. L., Torres, S.J., Milte, C.M., McNaughton, S.A., Teychenne, M., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Higher Adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines Is Associated with Better Mental Health Status among Australian Adult First-Time Mothers." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(9), 1406-1412. 10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.010
Lunn, P. L., Roberts, S., Spence, A., Hesketh, K.D. & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Mothers’ perceptions of Melbourne InFANT Program: informing future practice." Health Promotion International, 31(3),614-622. 10.1093/heapro/dav004
O’Halloran, S. A., Grimes, C.A., Lacy, K.E., Campbell, K.J., & Nowson, C.A. (2016). "Dietary Intake and Sources of Potassium and the Relationship to Dietary Sodium in a Sample of Australian Pre-School Children." Nutrients, 8(8), 496. 10.3390/nu8080496
O’Halloran, S. A., Grimes, C.A., Lacy, K.E., Nowson, C.A., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Dietary sources and sodium intake in a sample of Australian preschool children." BMJ Open, 6(2), Article e008698. 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008698
Spence, A. C., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D.A., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Mothers’ perceptions of the influences on their child feeding practices – A qualitative study." Appetite, 105, 596-603. 10.1016/j.appet.2016.06.031
Van der Pligt, P., Olander, E.K., Ball, K., Crawford, D., Hesketh, K.D., Teychenne, M., & Campbell, K. (2016). "Maternal dietary intake and physical activity habits during the postpartum period: associations with clinician advice in a sample of Australian first time mothers." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 16, 27. 10.1186/s12884-016-0812-4
Walsh, A. D., Cameron, A.J., Crawford, D., Hesketh, K.D., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years." Public Health Nutrition, 19(11), 2033-2039. 10.1017/S136898001600077X
Hesketh, K. D., Crawford, D.A., Abbott, G., Campbell, K.J., & Salmon, J. (2015). "Prevalence and stability of active play, restricted movement and television viewing in infants." Early Child Development and Care, 185(6), 883-894. 10.1080/03004430.2014.963066
Hnatiuk, J. A., Salmon, J., Campbell, K.J., Ridgers, N.D., & Hesketh, K.D. (2015). "Tracking of maternal self-efficacy for limiting young children’s television viewing and associations with children’s television viewing time: a longitudinal analysis over 15-months." BMC Public Health, 15, 517. 10.1186/s12889-015-1858-3
Lioret, S., Cameron, A.J., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Spence, A.C., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2015). "Association between maternal education and diet of children at 9 months is partially explained by mothers’ diet." Maternal & child nutrition, 11(4), 936-947. 10.1111/mcn.12031
Walsh, A. D., Cameron, A.J., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2015). "Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old children are moderated by fathers’ BMI, education and age." British Journal of Nutrition, 114(6), 988-994. 10.1017/S0007114515002755
Campbell, K. J., Hendrie, G., Nowson, C., Grimes, C.A., Riley, M., Lioret, S., & McNaughton, S.A. (2014). "Sources and correlates of sodium consumption in the first 2 years of life." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(10), 1525-1532.e2. 10.1016/j.jand.2014.04.028
Spence, A. C., Campbell, K.J., Crawford, D.A., McNaughton, S.A., & Hesketh, K.D. (2014). "Mediators of improved child diet quality following a health promotion intervention: the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11, 137. 10.1186/s12966-014-0137-5
Walsh, A. D., Lioret, S., Cameron, A.J., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2014). "The effect of an early childhood obesity intervention on father’s obesity risk behaviors: the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11, 18. 10.1186/1479-5868-11-18
Hnatiuk, J., Salmon, J., Campbell, K.J., Ridgers, N.D., & Hesketh, K.D. (2013). "Early childhood predictors of toddlers’ physical activity: longitudinal findings from the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10, 123. 10.1186/1479-5868-10-123
Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Spence, A.C., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2013). "Tracking of dietary intakes in early childhood: the Melbourne InFANT Program." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67(3), 275-281. 10.1038/ejcn.2012.218
Hnatiuk, J., Ridgers, N.D., Salmon, J., Campbell, K., McCallum, Z., & Hesketh, K. (2012). "Physical activity levels and patterns of 19-month-old children." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44(9), 1715-1720. 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31825825c4
Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Spence, A.C., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2012). "Parents’ dietary patterns are significantly correlated: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial Program." British Journal of Nutrition, 108(3): 518-526. 10.1017/S0007114511005757
McLeod, E. R., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2011). "Nutrition knowledge: a mediator between socioeconomic position and diet quality in Australian first-time mothers." Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(5), 696-704. 10.1016/j.jada.2011.02.011
Cameron, A. J., Hesketh, K., Ball, K., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2010). "Influence of peers on breastfeeding discontinuation among new parents: the Melbourne InFANT Program." Pediatrics, 126(3), Article e601-607. 10.1542/peds.2010-0771
Small-scale Translation
During 2013- 2016, INFANT was was offered as a recommended evidence based program as part of Healthy Together Victoria Initiative to enable the program to be offered to selected local government areas alongside a range of other prevention programs. A total eight of twelve areas opted to run INFANT with strong acceptance and adoption by Maternal and Child Health Nurses and other health professionals.
Findings highlighted many examples of program integration, promoted by a range of factors including:
- Strengthened partnerships between early years’ service providers.
- Increased awareness of and commitment to the early years as a period for obesity prevention.
- Identification of the need for healthy lifestyle services for children under 2 years of age.
This small-scale translation trial provided proof of concept for implementation at scale. Of the eight areas that chose to implement INFANT, five continued to run the program when government funding ceased. Insights from this research have informed modifications and improvements of program delivery at scale.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Love, P., Laws, R., Taki, S., West, M., Hesketh, K.D., & Campbell, K.J. (2022). "Factors contributing to the sustained implementation of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention: The INFANT Program." Frontiers in Health Services, 2, 1031628. 10.3389/frhs.2022.1031628
Love, P., Laws, R., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K. (2018). "Lessons on early childhood obesity prevention interventions from the Victorian Infant Program." Public Health Research & Practice, 29, Article e2911904. 10.17061/phrp2911904
Love, P., Laws, R., Litterbach, E., & Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Factors Influencing Parental Engagement in an Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Implemented at Scale: The Infant Program." Nutrients, 10(4), 509. 10.3390/nu10040509
Laws, R., Hesketh, K.D., Ball, K., Cooper, C., Vrljic, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Translating an early childhood obesity prevention program for local community implementation: a case study of the Melbourne InFANT Program." BMC Public Health, 16, 748. 10.1186/s12889-016-3361-x
Enhancements to INFANT
In response to small scale translation findings from providers and families, a range of enhancements were made to strengthen INFANT:
- Developed online facilitator training, enabling INFANT training to be undertaken online.
- Developed the My Baby Now app and website – these complement the face-to-face sessions and provide 24/7 access to high quality information and personalised support.
- Reduced the face-to-face sessions from six to four to accommodate earlier return to work. The My Baby Now app covers the content previously found in sessions five and six.
Key investigators
Professor Karen Campbell
Key relevant papers
Laws, R., Zheng, J., Brown, V., Lymer, S., Campbell, K., Russell, G., Taki, S., Litterbach, E., Ong, K., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2024). "The impacts of an mHealth intervention targeting parents on health service usage and out of pocket costs in the first 9 months of life: The Growing healthy app." Maternal and Child Nutrition. 10.1111/mcn.13662
Taki, S., Russell, C.G., Lymer, S., Laws, R., Campbell, K., Appleton, J., Ong, K., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2019). "A Mixed Methods Study to Explore the Effects of Program Design Elements and Participant Characteristics on Parents’ Engagement With an mHealth Program to Promote Healthy Infant Feeding: The Growing Healthy Program." Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, Article e397. 10.3389/fendo.2019.00397
Russell, C., Denney-Wilson, E., Laws, R., Abbott, G., Zheng, M., Lymer, S., Taki, S., Litterbach, E., Ong, K.L., & Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Obesity prevention in infants using mHealth: Impact of the Growing healthy program on maternal feeding practices, infant food preferences and satiety responsiveness." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(4), Article e77. 10.2196/mhealth.9303
Laws, R., Denney-Wilson, E., Taki, S., Russell, C., Zheng, M., Litterbach, E., Ong, K.L., Lymer, S., Elliot, R., Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Key Lessons and Impact of the Growing Healthy mHealth Program on Milk Feeding, Timing of Introduction of Solids, and Infant Growth: Quasi-Experimental Study." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(4), Article e78. 10.2196/mhealth.9040
Litterbach, E., Russell, G., Taki, S.,Denney-Wilson, E., Campbell, K., & Laws, R. (2017). "Factors Influencing Engagement and Behavioral Determinants of Infant Feeding in an mHealth Program: Qualitative Evaluation of the Growing Healthy Program." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 5(12), Article e196. 10.2196/mhealth.8515
State-wide Scale-up
From 2020, Victorian organisations, such as Maternal and Child Health services and community health services, had the opportunity to have staff trained to deliver INFANT as part of their usual care. Alongside this, implementation support was provided to help embed INFANT into routine service delivery using a range of models to suit the local context. This was evaluated through a 5- year Partnership Project Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (ID number: GNT161223) to investigate INFANT implementation at scale throughout Victoria and Nationally. We are using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of INFANT when implemented at scale across Victoria.
The project partners include: Victorian Department of Health, Municipal Association of Victoria, VicHealth, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) , City of Whittlesea, Sunraysia Community Health Service, Raising Children Network, and Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre.
Organisations received implementation support to help embed INFANT into routine service delivery. Including implementation support from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Results on the evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation of the statewide scale up will be available from 2025.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Marshall, S., Johnson, B.J., Hesketh, K.D., Campbell, K.J., Fraser, K., Love, P., Denney-Wilson, E., Salmon, J., McCallum, Z., & Laws, R. (2023). Mapping intervention components from a randomized controlled trial to scale-up of an early life nutrition and movement intervention: The INFANT program. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1026856. 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1026856
Laws, R., Love, P., Hesketh, K.D., Koorts, H., Denney-Wilson, E., Moodie, M., Brown, V., Ong, K.L., Browne, J., Marshall, S., Lioret, S., Orellana, L., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). Protocol for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Trial to Evaluate Scale up of an Evidence-Based Intervention Addressing Lifestyle Behaviours From the Start of Life: INFANT. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12,1299. 10.3389/fendo.2021.717468
Marshall, S., Love, P., Kuswara, K., Lee, K., Downes, H., & Laws, R. (2025). Reaching Priority Populations When Scaling Up: A Qualitative Study of Practitioners' Experiences of Implementing Early Childhood Health Interventions in Victoria, Australia. Maternal and Child Health, e70046. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70046
2007
Development of INFANT
INFANT was developed to promote healthy eating, physical activity (active play) and reduce sedentary behaviours that would enable health across life. The first 1000 days of life are a critical time for establishing healthy eating and activity behaviours that can have health and economic benefits into adulthood.
Systematic reviews of existing interventions in this population, interviews with maternal and child health nurses and focus groups with parents were conducted to inform the development of the INFANT program.
Key investigators
Professor Karen Campbell
Key relevant papers
Hesketh, K.D., Hinkley, T., & Campbell, K.J. (2012). "Children’s physical activity and screen time: qualitative comparison of views of parents of infants and preschool children." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9,152. 10.1186/1479-5868-9-152
Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K. (2010). "Interventions to prevent obesity in 0-5 year olds: an updated systematic review of the literature." Obesity, 18 (S1), S27-S35. 10.1038/oby.2009.429
Campbell, K., Hesketh, K., Silverii, A., & Abbott, G. (2010). "Maternal self-efficacy regarding children’s eating and sedentary behaviours in the early years: Associations with children’s food intake and sedentary behaviours." International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 5(6), 501–508. 10.3109/17477161003777425
2008 - 2013
Efficacy Trial
This study was a cluster randomised controlled trial within local government areas around Melbourne, Australia. It involved 542 first time mothers with infants between 4-20 months of age.
Parents and carers were in one of two groups – those receiving usual care and those receiving INFANT offered as six sessions delivered over the infants’ first 18 months of life. Families were followed up when their children were 3.5 and 5 years of age.
This early trial had positive effects on a range of parents’ and children’s behaviours, with benefits still evident at 5 years of age
- At 18 months old – children watched less television, consumed fewer snacks, had improved dietary quality and lower unhealthy lifestyle behaviour patterns. Children of younger and less educated mothers drank more water and ate more vegetables [3]. Mothers’ diets were also improved [4].
- At 3.5 and 5 years old – children consumed more fruit and vegetables and more water at 3.5 years of age, and less sugar sweetened drinks at 5 years. At both ages, children consumed less sweet snacks, viewed less television (approaching significance) [5], and had lower unhealthy lifestyle behaviour patterns.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Zheng,M., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton,S.A., Salmon, J., Crawford, D., Cameron,A., Lioret,S., & Campbell, K.J. (2022). "Quantifying the overall impact of an early childhood mulit-behavioural lifestyle intervention." Pediatric Obesity,17(3), Article e12861. 10.1111/ijpo.12861
Hesketh, K.D., Salmon, J., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Abbott, G., Cameron, A.J., Lioret, D, Gold, L., Downing, K.L., & Campbell, K.J. (2020). "Long-term outcomes (2 and 3.5 years post-intervention) of the INFANT early childhood intervention to improve health behaviors and reduce obesity: cluster randomised controlled trial follow-up." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17, 95. 10.1186/s12966-020-00994-9
Cameron, A. J., Ball, K., Hesketh, K.D.,McNaughton, S.A., Salmon, J., Crawford, D.A., Lioret, S., & Campbell, K.J. (2014). "Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program according to maternal education and age." Preventive Medicine, 58, 58-63. 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.10.021
Campbell, K. J., Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D.A., Salmon, J., Ball, K., McCallum, Z., Gerner, B.E., Spence, A.C., Cameron, A.J., Hnatiuk, J.A., Ukoumunne, O.C., Gold, L., Abbott, G., & Hesketh, K.D (2013). "A parent-focused intervention to reduce infant obesity risk behaviors: a randomized trial." Pediatrics, 131(4), 652-660. 10.1542/peds.2012-2576
Hesketh, K. D., Campbell, K., Salmon, J., McNaughton, S.A, McCallum, Z., Cameron, A., Ball, K., Gold, L., Andrianopoulos, N., & Crawford, D. (2013). "The Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program follow-up." Contemporary Clinical Trials, 34(1),145-151. 10.1016/j.cct.2012.10.008
Spence, A. C., McNaughton, S.A., Lioret, S., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D.A., & Campbell, K.J., (2013). "A health promotion intervention can affect diet quality in early childhood." The Journal of Nutrition, 143(10), 1672-1678. 10.3945/jn.113.177931
Campbell, K., Hesketh, K., Crawford,D., Salmon, J., Ball, K., & McCallum, Z. (2008). "The Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity: cluster-randomised controlled trial." BMC Public Health, 8,103. 10.1186/1471-2458-8-103
Other relevant papers
Barnett, L.M., Hnatiuk, J.A., D’Souza, N., Salmon, J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2021). "What factors help young children develop positive perceptions of their motor skills?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 759. 10.3390/ijerph18020759
Hesketh, K.D., Kuswara, K., Abbott, G., Salmon, J., Hnatiuk, J., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). "How to change young children’s physical and sedentary behaviour: mechanisms of behaviour change in the INFANT cluster-randomized controlled trial." Children, 8(6),470. 10.3390/children8060470
Nyström, C.D., Abbott, G., Cameron, A.J., Campbell, K.J., Löf, M., Salmon, J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2021). "Maternal knowledge explains screen time differences 2 and 3.5 years post-intervention in INFANT." European Journal of Pediatrics, 180, 3391-3398. 10.1007/s00431-021-04134-8
Nyström, C.D., Cameron, A., Campbell, K., & Hesketh, K. (2021). "Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) according to maternal education and age 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention." Public Health Nutrition, 24(6),1460. 10.1017/S1368980021000045
Zheng, M., Hesketh, K.D., Wu, J.H.Y., Heitmann, B.L., Downing, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). "Nighttime sleep duration trajectories were associated with body mass index trajectories in early childhood." Pediatric Obesity, 16(7), Article e12766. 10.1111/ijpo.12766
Brown, V., Tan, E.J., Hayes, A., Baur, L., Campbell, K., Taylor, R., Byrne, R., Wen, L.M., Hesketh, K.D., & Moodie, M. (2020). "Cost comparison of five Australasian obesity prevention interventions for children aged from birth to two years." Pediatric Obesity, 15(12), Article e12684. 10.1111/ijpo.12684
Lioret, S., Campbell, K.J., McNaughton, S.A., Cameron, A.J., Salmon, J., Abbott, G., & Hesketh, K.D. (2020). "Lifestyle patterns begin in early childhood, persist and are socioeconomically patterned, confirming the importance of early life interventions." Nutrients, 12(3), 724. 10.3390/nu12030724
Laws, R., Walsh, A.D, Hesketh, K.D., Downing, K.L., Kuswara, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2019). "Differences Between Mothers and Fathers of Young Children in Their Use of the Internet to Support Healthy Family Lifestyle Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Study." Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1), Article e11454. 10.2196/11454
Ray, C., Campbell, K. & Hesketh, K. (2019). "Key messages in an early childhood obesity prevention intervention: are they recalled and do they impact children’s behaviour?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9),1550. 10.3390/ijerph16091550
Zheng, M., Bowe, S.J., Hesketh, K.D., Bolton, K., Laws, R., Kremer, P., Ong,K.K., Lioret, S., Denney-Wilson, E. & Campbell, K.J. (2019). "Relative effects of postnatal rapid growth and maternal factors on early childhood growth trajectories." Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 33(2), 172-180. 10.1111/ppe.12541
Fernando, N. N. T., Campbell, K.J., McNaughton, S.A., Zheng, M., & Lacy, K.E. (2018). "Predictors of Dietary Energy Density among Preschool Aged Children." Nutrients, 10(2), 178. 10.3390/nu10020178
Haines, J., Downing, K.L., Tang, L., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2018). "Associations between maternal concern about child’s weight and related behaviours and maternal weight-related parenting practices: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1), 104. 10.1186/s12966-018-0738-5
Spence, A. C., Campbell, K.J, Lioret, S., & McNaughton, S.A. (2018). "Early Childhood Vegetable, Fruit, and Discretionary Food Intakes Do Not Meet Dietary Guidelines, but Do Show Socioeconomic Differences and Tracking over Time." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118(9), 1634-1643.e1. 10.1016/j.jand.2017.12.009
Barnett, L. M., Ridgers, N.D., Hesketh, K., & Salmon, J. (2017). "Setting them up for lifetime activity: Play competence perceptions and physical activity in young children." Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(9), 856-860. 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.003
Campbell, K. J., Abbott, G., Zheng, M., & McNaughton, S.A. (2017). "Early Life Protein Intake: Food Sources, Correlates, and Tracking across the First 5 Years of Life." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(8), 1188-1197.e1. 10.1016/j.jand.2017.03.016
Downing, K. L., Campbell, K.J., van der Pligt, P., & Hesketh, K.D. (2017). "Facilitator and Participant Use of Facebook in a Community-Based Intervention for Parents: The InFANT Extend Program." Childhood Obesity, 13(6), 443-454. 10.1089/chi.2017.0078
Hesketh, K. D., Downing, K.L., Campbell, K., Crawford, D., Salmon, J., & Hnatiuk, J.A. (2017). "Proportion of infants meeting the Australian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years: data from the Melbourne InFANT Program." BMC Public Health, 17(S5), 856. 10.1186/s12889-017-4856-9
Walsh, A. D., Crawford, D., Cameron, A.J., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2017). "Associations between the physical activity levels of fathers and their children at 20 months, 3.5 and five years of age." BMC Public Health, 17(1), 628. 10.1186/s12889-017-4545-8
Atkins, L. A., McNaughton, S.A., Campbell, K.J., & Szymlek-Gay, E.A. (2016). "Iron intakes of Australian infants and toddlers: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial Program." British Journal of Nutrition, 115(2), 285-293. 10.1017/S0007114515004286
Barnett, L. M., Salmon, J. & Hesketh, K.D. (2016). "More active pre-school children have better motor competence at school starting age: an observational cohort study." BMC Public Health, 16, 1068. 10.1186/s12889-016-3742-1
Campbell, K. J., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton, S.A., Ball, K., McCallum, Z., Lynch, J., & Crawford, D.A. (2016). "The extended Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT Extend) Program: a cluster-randomized controlled trial of an early intervention to prevent childhood obesity." BMC Public Health, 16, 166. 10.1186/s12889-016-2836-0
Collins, L. J., Lacy, K.E., Campbell, K.J., & McNaughton, S.A. (2016). "The Predictors of Diet Quality among Australian Children Aged 3.5 Years." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(7), 1114-1126.e2. 10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.014
Huddy, R. L., Torres, S.J., Milte, C.M., McNaughton, S.A., Teychenne, M., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Higher Adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines Is Associated with Better Mental Health Status among Australian Adult First-Time Mothers." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(9), 1406-1412. 10.1016/j.jand.2016.01.010
Lunn, P. L., Roberts, S., Spence, A., Hesketh, K.D. & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Mothers’ perceptions of Melbourne InFANT Program: informing future practice." Health Promotion International, 31(3),614-622. 10.1093/heapro/dav004
O’Halloran, S. A., Grimes, C.A., Lacy, K.E., Campbell, K.J., & Nowson, C.A. (2016). "Dietary Intake and Sources of Potassium and the Relationship to Dietary Sodium in a Sample of Australian Pre-School Children." Nutrients, 8(8), 496. 10.3390/nu8080496
O’Halloran, S. A., Grimes, C.A., Lacy, K.E., Nowson, C.A., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Dietary sources and sodium intake in a sample of Australian preschool children." BMJ Open, 6(2), Article e008698. 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008698
Spence, A. C., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D.A., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Mothers’ perceptions of the influences on their child feeding practices – A qualitative study." Appetite, 105, 596-603. 10.1016/j.appet.2016.06.031
Van der Pligt, P., Olander, E.K., Ball, K., Crawford, D., Hesketh, K.D., Teychenne, M., & Campbell, K. (2016). "Maternal dietary intake and physical activity habits during the postpartum period: associations with clinician advice in a sample of Australian first time mothers." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 16, 27. 10.1186/s12884-016-0812-4
Walsh, A. D., Cameron, A.J., Crawford, D., Hesketh, K.D., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years." Public Health Nutrition, 19(11), 2033-2039. 10.1017/S136898001600077X
Hesketh, K. D., Crawford, D.A., Abbott, G., Campbell, K.J., & Salmon, J. (2015). "Prevalence and stability of active play, restricted movement and television viewing in infants." Early Child Development and Care, 185(6), 883-894. 10.1080/03004430.2014.963066
Hnatiuk, J. A., Salmon, J., Campbell, K.J., Ridgers, N.D., & Hesketh, K.D. (2015). "Tracking of maternal self-efficacy for limiting young children’s television viewing and associations with children’s television viewing time: a longitudinal analysis over 15-months." BMC Public Health, 15, 517. 10.1186/s12889-015-1858-3
Lioret, S., Cameron, A.J., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Spence, A.C., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2015). "Association between maternal education and diet of children at 9 months is partially explained by mothers’ diet." Maternal & child nutrition, 11(4), 936-947. 10.1111/mcn.12031
Walsh, A. D., Cameron, A.J., Hesketh, K.D., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2015). "Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old children are moderated by fathers’ BMI, education and age." British Journal of Nutrition, 114(6), 988-994. 10.1017/S0007114515002755
Campbell, K. J., Hendrie, G., Nowson, C., Grimes, C.A., Riley, M., Lioret, S., & McNaughton, S.A. (2014). "Sources and correlates of sodium consumption in the first 2 years of life." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(10), 1525-1532.e2. 10.1016/j.jand.2014.04.028
Spence, A. C., Campbell, K.J., Crawford, D.A., McNaughton, S.A., & Hesketh, K.D. (2014). "Mediators of improved child diet quality following a health promotion intervention: the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11, 137. 10.1186/s12966-014-0137-5
Walsh, A. D., Lioret, S., Cameron, A.J., Hesketh, K.D., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2014). "The effect of an early childhood obesity intervention on father’s obesity risk behaviors: the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11, 18. 10.1186/1479-5868-11-18
Hnatiuk, J., Salmon, J., Campbell, K.J., Ridgers, N.D., & Hesketh, K.D. (2013). "Early childhood predictors of toddlers’ physical activity: longitudinal findings from the Melbourne InFANT Program." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10, 123. 10.1186/1479-5868-10-123
Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Spence, A.C., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2013). "Tracking of dietary intakes in early childhood: the Melbourne InFANT Program." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67(3), 275-281. 10.1038/ejcn.2012.218
Hnatiuk, J., Ridgers, N.D., Salmon, J., Campbell, K., McCallum, Z., & Hesketh, K. (2012). "Physical activity levels and patterns of 19-month-old children." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44(9), 1715-1720. 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31825825c4
Lioret, S., McNaughton, S.A., Crawford, D., Spence, A.C., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2012). "Parents’ dietary patterns are significantly correlated: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial Program." British Journal of Nutrition, 108(3): 518-526. 10.1017/S0007114511005757
McLeod, E. R., Campbell, K.J., & Hesketh, K.D. (2011). "Nutrition knowledge: a mediator between socioeconomic position and diet quality in Australian first-time mothers." Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(5), 696-704. 10.1016/j.jada.2011.02.011
Cameron, A. J., Hesketh, K., Ball, K., Crawford, D., & Campbell, K.J. (2010). "Influence of peers on breastfeeding discontinuation among new parents: the Melbourne InFANT Program." Pediatrics, 126(3), Article e601-607. 10.1542/peds.2010-0771
2013 - 2016
Small-scale Translation
During 2013- 2016, INFANT was was offered as a recommended evidence based program as part of Healthy Together Victoria Initiative to enable the program to be offered to selected local government areas alongside a range of other prevention programs. A total eight of twelve areas opted to run INFANT with strong acceptance and adoption by Maternal and Child Health Nurses and other health professionals.
Findings highlighted many examples of program integration, promoted by a range of factors including:
- Strengthened partnerships between early years’ service providers.
- Increased awareness of and commitment to the early years as a period for obesity prevention.
- Identification of the need for healthy lifestyle services for children under 2 years of age.
This small-scale translation trial provided proof of concept for implementation at scale. Of the eight areas that chose to implement INFANT, five continued to run the program when government funding ceased. Insights from this research have informed modifications and improvements of program delivery at scale.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Love, P., Laws, R., Taki, S., West, M., Hesketh, K.D., & Campbell, K.J. (2022). "Factors contributing to the sustained implementation of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention: The INFANT Program." Frontiers in Health Services, 2, 1031628. 10.3389/frhs.2022.1031628
Love, P., Laws, R., Hesketh, K., & Campbell, K. (2018). "Lessons on early childhood obesity prevention interventions from the Victorian Infant Program." Public Health Research & Practice, 29, Article e2911904. 10.17061/phrp2911904
Love, P., Laws, R., Litterbach, E., & Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Factors Influencing Parental Engagement in an Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Implemented at Scale: The Infant Program." Nutrients, 10(4), 509. 10.3390/nu10040509
Laws, R., Hesketh, K.D., Ball, K., Cooper, C., Vrljic, K., & Campbell, K.J. (2016). "Translating an early childhood obesity prevention program for local community implementation: a case study of the Melbourne InFANT Program." BMC Public Health, 16, 748. 10.1186/s12889-016-3361-x
2017 - 2019
Enhancements to INFANT
In response to small scale translation findings from providers and families, a range of enhancements were made to strengthen INFANT:
- Developed online facilitator training, enabling INFANT training to be undertaken online.
- Developed the My Baby Now app and website – these complement the face-to-face sessions and provide 24/7 access to high quality information and personalised support.
- Reduced the face-to-face sessions from six to four to accommodate earlier return to work. The My Baby Now app covers the content previously found in sessions five and six.
Key investigators
Professor Karen Campbell
Key relevant papers
Laws, R., Zheng, J., Brown, V., Lymer, S., Campbell, K., Russell, G., Taki, S., Litterbach, E., Ong, K., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2024). "The impacts of an mHealth intervention targeting parents on health service usage and out of pocket costs in the first 9 months of life: The Growing healthy app." Maternal and Child Nutrition. 10.1111/mcn.13662
Taki, S., Russell, C.G., Lymer, S., Laws, R., Campbell, K., Appleton, J., Ong, K., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2019). "A Mixed Methods Study to Explore the Effects of Program Design Elements and Participant Characteristics on Parents’ Engagement With an mHealth Program to Promote Healthy Infant Feeding: The Growing Healthy Program." Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, Article e397. 10.3389/fendo.2019.00397
Russell, C., Denney-Wilson, E., Laws, R., Abbott, G., Zheng, M., Lymer, S., Taki, S., Litterbach, E., Ong, K.L., & Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Obesity prevention in infants using mHealth: Impact of the Growing healthy program on maternal feeding practices, infant food preferences and satiety responsiveness." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(4), Article e77. 10.2196/mhealth.9303
Laws, R., Denney-Wilson, E., Taki, S., Russell, C., Zheng, M., Litterbach, E., Ong, K.L., Lymer, S., Elliot, R., Campbell, K.J. (2018). "Key Lessons and Impact of the Growing Healthy mHealth Program on Milk Feeding, Timing of Introduction of Solids, and Infant Growth: Quasi-Experimental Study." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(4), Article e78. 10.2196/mhealth.9040
Litterbach, E., Russell, G., Taki, S.,Denney-Wilson, E., Campbell, K., & Laws, R. (2017). "Factors Influencing Engagement and Behavioral Determinants of Infant Feeding in an mHealth Program: Qualitative Evaluation of the Growing Healthy Program." JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 5(12), Article e196. 10.2196/mhealth.8515
2020 - 2025
State-wide Scale-up
From 2020, Victorian organisations, such as Maternal and Child Health services and community health services, had the opportunity to have staff trained to deliver INFANT as part of their usual care. Alongside this, implementation support was provided to help embed INFANT into routine service delivery using a range of models to suit the local context. This was evaluated through a 5- year Partnership Project Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (ID number: GNT161223) to investigate INFANT implementation at scale throughout Victoria and Nationally. We are using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of INFANT when implemented at scale across Victoria.
The project partners include: Victorian Department of Health, Municipal Association of Victoria, VicHealth, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) , City of Whittlesea, Sunraysia Community Health Service, Raising Children Network, and Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre.
Organisations received implementation support to help embed INFANT into routine service delivery. Including implementation support from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Results on the evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation of the statewide scale up will be available from 2025.
Key investigators
Key relevant papers
Marshall, S., Johnson, B.J., Hesketh, K.D., Campbell, K.J., Fraser, K., Love, P., Denney-Wilson, E., Salmon, J., McCallum, Z., & Laws, R. (2023). Mapping intervention components from a randomized controlled trial to scale-up of an early life nutrition and movement intervention: The INFANT program. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1026856. 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1026856
Laws, R., Love, P., Hesketh, K.D., Koorts, H., Denney-Wilson, E., Moodie, M., Brown, V., Ong, K.L., Browne, J., Marshall, S., Lioret, S., Orellana, L., & Campbell, K.J. (2021). Protocol for an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Trial to Evaluate Scale up of an Evidence-Based Intervention Addressing Lifestyle Behaviours From the Start of Life: INFANT. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12,1299. 10.3389/fendo.2021.717468
Marshall, S., Love, P., Kuswara, K., Lee, K., Downes, H., & Laws, R. (2025). Reaching Priority Populations When Scaling Up: A Qualitative Study of Practitioners' Experiences of Implementing Early Childhood Health Interventions in Victoria, Australia. Maternal and Child Health, e70046. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mcn.70046
Logic Model
A logic model is a way to display how a program works. INFANT's logic model shows the relationships between the goal of INFANT and the resources, services and activities to achieve the program and implementation outcomes.
Inputs
Intervention
Trained facilitators with allocated time, and resources for INFANT delivery.
Recruitment of families.
INFANT delivery resources (e.g. Facilitator Guidelines).
Implementation
Deakin INFANT team.
Local and statewide partners (e.g. local council, health/education services, government departments).
INFANT facilitators.
INFANT online training and facilitator forum.
INFANT website and resources.
Activities
Intervention
Families recruited and enrolled.
INFANT group sessions delivered.
INFANT 7 key messages integrated throughout sessions.
Facilitated discussion and family.
Access to My Baby Now App and website.
Local level evaluation of INFANT.
Implementation
Build partnerships (including shared costs, resources, training and responsibilities).
Identify implementation capacity.
Complete INFANT training/refresher training.
Develop local implementation plan.
Outputs
Intervention
Improved knowledge, confidence and practices among mums, dads and carers regarding - child diet, sleep, sedentary behaviour, physical activity.
Increased knowledge, and self-efficacy regarding diet and movement behaviours among mums, dads and carers.
Implementation
Shared understanding of implementation barriers and enablers.
Shared decision making and responsibility for INFANT promotion and implementation.
Impacts
Intervention
Improved infant feeding practices (including breastfeeding).
Improved infant active play and reduced child sedentary time (including TV/screen time).
Improved diet and health behaviours of mums, dads and carers.
Implementation
Increased confidence of health and early years professionals to integrate healthy eating and active play messages into routine practice.
Enhanced knowledge and confidence to promote and implement INFANT.
Sustained implementation of INFANT through a partnership approach.
Outcomes
Intervention
Improved child diet quality and reduced child sedentary time sustained to age 5 years.
Implementation
Embedding INFANT messages and group sessions into organisational service delivery.
Enhanced reach of consistent, evidence based INFANT messages to families with young infants across Australia.
People
INFANT is supported by a multidisciplinary, international team of partner organisations, researchers and health promotion professionals.
- INFANT Leadership Team
- Current INFANT Team
Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition, IPAN
Rachel is trained as a dietitian. Her PhD explored obesity prevention within primary care. She is now an Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Her research primarily focuses on early life nutrition and developing obesity prevention interventions for families with young children. Rachel is the lead investigator of the INFANT evaluation.
Emeritus Professor Karen Campbell
Emeritus Professor, Population Nutrition, IPAN
Karen co-led the development of INFANT with Professor Kylie Hesketh. Karen trained as a dietitian and health educator and has a PhD in behaviour epidemiology. She is now a retired Professor of Population Nutrition. Her work focused on improving health during pregnancy and early life. Karen was previously responsible for the overall INFANT project leadership.
Professor, IPAN
Kylie co-led the development of INFANT. She is now a Professor of Child Physical Activity and Public Health at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. She has training in psychology, paediatric public health and behavioural epidemiology. She leads a program of research that focuses on physical activity, sedentary behaviours and obesity prevention in children and youth, with a focus on the early childhood period. Kylie is one of the leaders of the INFANT effectiveness trial.
Professor Elizabeth Denney Wilson
Conjoint Professor of Nursing, University of Sydney
Elizabeth co-led the development of My Baby Now. She has academic qualifications in nursing, public health and epidemiology. Her research focuses on obesity prevention and management with an emphasis on the role of nurses and the primary health care setting. Elizabeth is one of the leaders of the INFANT effectiveness trial.
Senior Lecturer, Community and Public Health Nutrition, IPAN
Penny is an advanced accredited practising dietitian and Senior Lecturer in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Her research focuses on the translation, implementation and sustainability of early childhood health promotion interventions. Penny is one of the leaders of the INFANT implementation evaluation.
Senior Research Fellow, IHT
Vicki is a Senior Research Fellow of Health Economics at the Institute of Health Transformation, working on a large number of research projects, where her work assesses the value-for-money of different approaches to prevention of chronic diseases. Vicki is responsible for the health economics component of the INFANT project.
Associate Professor, IPAN
Harriet is an Implementation Scientist; her research focuses on the implementation and scale-up of physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions at a population level. She is now an Associate Professor of Implementation Science.
Professor of Biostatistics, Deakin University
Liliana is a biostatistician; her areas of interest include oncology, palliative care, nutrition and eating disorders in children and adolescents. She also teaches statistics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Liliana leads the INFANT statistical analysis.
Professor, Business Analytics, RMIT University
Kok-Leong specialises in data analytics research and has served in over 50 program committees of international conferences related to analytics. Kok-Leong is responsible for the My Baby Now app maintenance and analytics.
Senior Research Fellow, IHT
Jennifer is a public nutritionist and is now a senior research fellow with the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE). She is an advocate for Aboriginal health equality. Her research involves exploring food policy options that are considered effective and acceptable by Aboriginal communities as well as the ways in which commercial entities and activities influence Aboriginal health. Jennifer has a long standing research partnership with the with VACCHO with whom she co-leads the Aboriginal health component of the INFANT project.
Research Project Manager (Research Fellow)
Research Assistant
Della Duric
Research Assistant
Ricky Gelman
INFANT Training Project Officer
INFANT Leadership Team
Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition, IPAN
Rachel is trained as a dietitian. Her PhD explored obesity prevention within primary care. She is now an Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Her research primarily focuses on early life nutrition and developing obesity prevention interventions for families with young children. Rachel is the lead investigator of the INFANT evaluation.
Emeritus Professor Karen Campbell
Emeritus Professor, Population Nutrition, IPAN
Karen co-led the development of INFANT with Professor Kylie Hesketh. Karen trained as a dietitian and health educator and has a PhD in behaviour epidemiology. She is now a retired Professor of Population Nutrition. Her work focused on improving health during pregnancy and early life. Karen was previously responsible for the overall INFANT project leadership.
Professor, IPAN
Kylie co-led the development of INFANT. She is now a Professor of Child Physical Activity and Public Health at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. She has training in psychology, paediatric public health and behavioural epidemiology. She leads a program of research that focuses on physical activity, sedentary behaviours and obesity prevention in children and youth, with a focus on the early childhood period. Kylie is one of the leaders of the INFANT effectiveness trial.
Professor Elizabeth Denney Wilson
Conjoint Professor of Nursing, University of Sydney
Elizabeth co-led the development of My Baby Now. She has academic qualifications in nursing, public health and epidemiology. Her research focuses on obesity prevention and management with an emphasis on the role of nurses and the primary health care setting. Elizabeth is one of the leaders of the INFANT effectiveness trial.
Senior Lecturer, Community and Public Health Nutrition, IPAN
Penny is an advanced accredited practising dietitian and Senior Lecturer in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Her research focuses on the translation, implementation and sustainability of early childhood health promotion interventions. Penny is one of the leaders of the INFANT implementation evaluation.
Senior Research Fellow, IHT
Vicki is a Senior Research Fellow of Health Economics at the Institute of Health Transformation, working on a large number of research projects, where her work assesses the value-for-money of different approaches to prevention of chronic diseases. Vicki is responsible for the health economics component of the INFANT project.
Associate Professor, IPAN
Harriet is an Implementation Scientist; her research focuses on the implementation and scale-up of physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions at a population level. She is now an Associate Professor of Implementation Science.
Professor of Biostatistics, Deakin University
Liliana is a biostatistician; her areas of interest include oncology, palliative care, nutrition and eating disorders in children and adolescents. She also teaches statistics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Liliana leads the INFANT statistical analysis.
Professor, Business Analytics, RMIT University
Kok-Leong specialises in data analytics research and has served in over 50 program committees of international conferences related to analytics. Kok-Leong is responsible for the My Baby Now app maintenance and analytics.
Senior Research Fellow, IHT
Jennifer is a public nutritionist and is now a senior research fellow with the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE). She is an advocate for Aboriginal health equality. Her research involves exploring food policy options that are considered effective and acceptable by Aboriginal communities as well as the ways in which commercial entities and activities influence Aboriginal health. Jennifer has a long standing research partnership with the with VACCHO with whom she co-leads the Aboriginal health component of the INFANT project.
Current INFANT Team
Research Project Manager (Research Fellow)
Research Assistant
Della Duric
Research Assistant
Ricky Gelman
INFANT Training Project Officer
My Baby Now App
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