Nurture Early for Optimal Nutrition (NEON) Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial: Qualitative study of community facilitators and attendees’ perspective on intervention delivery

Abstract Background Appropriate and healthy feeding practices can enhance a child’s health, prevent obesity, and reduce chronic metabolic disease risks. Given the ethnic variations in feeding practices and metabolic risk, interventions must be community specific. Culturally tailored, grassroots interventions targeting infant feeding can induce behavioural changes, mitigating chronic metabolic disease risks in later life. Aim The aim of this study was to explore participant feedback and inform intervention delivery methods within marginalised communities. Methods A pilot three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in London’s Tower Hamlets and Newham boroughs, involving community participatory learning and action groups. The study recruited 186 South Asian (Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan) mothers or carers of 0-2-year-old children. Attendees were invited to either…