Implications for practice and research

• Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses are in an ideal position to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours in early life.

• While nurses regularly provide support on healthy infant feeding practices, additional training and educational materials are needed to promote active play and limited screen use in children.

• Future research should assess the efficacy of integrating obesity prevention practices into MCH nursing on children's growth trajectories using a design that balances scientific rigour and real-world application.

Context

Researchers and funding agencies have historically endorsed highly structured and scientifically rigorous interventions to prevent childhood obesity.1 In this model, children and families who enrol in family-based obesity interventions typically receive a …