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DietECAILNCT03003117

The prEgnanCy and eArly Childhood nutrItion triaL (ECAIL)

A study testing Experimental: Intervention Program in people with Diet and Growth, run by French Red Cross at 2 sites in France.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial among 800 socially disadvantaged pregnant women and their families to test the effectiveness of a multi-component home visitation nutrition program, compared to usual care, in promoting healthy feeding practices, lifestyle behaviors and growth in… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Diet, Growth, Infant
What is being tested?
Experimental: Intervention Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
607 participants
Where
2 sitesFrance
Study dates
3 Apr 2017to 31 Aug 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Pregnant woman at her 3rd term of pregnancy
  • Healthy
  • Aged ≥ 18 years
  • From a socially disadvantaged background
  • Living in Lille, Lomme, Loos, Faches-Thumesnil, Ronchin, Hellemmes, Haubourdin, La Madeleine, Lambersart, Mons-en-Baroeul, Saint-André-Lez-Lille, Wattignies, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Marcq-en-Barœul or Wasquehal; or in the Valenciennes conurbation.
  • Willing and able to sign informed consent
  • Who, in the Investigator's judgement, is able to comply with the protocol or study procedures (including French speaking)
  • If twins are born from this pregnancy, only one will be randomly selected for inclusion

Who cannot join

  • Pregnant woman under guardianship
  • Participation in any other interventional clinical trial that is not compatible with the participation into the ECAIL study
  • No permanent mailing address
  • Housed in emergency accommodation centres, hotels, movable dwellings or homeless
  • Planning to move outside the study area prior to the child's first birthday
  • Serious illness during pregnancy that could interfere with optimal participation in the ECAIL study
  • Hard drug consumption
  • Multiple pregnancy (≥3 foetuses).

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

France2 sites
  • University Hospital

    Lille, 59037

  • Valenciennes Hospital, Monaco Hospital maternity

    Valenciennes, 59300

Other trials in France

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of an Early Intervention Aiming at Promoting Healthy Diet, Lifestyle and Growth of Children Living in Situation of Social Disadvantage : the prEgnanCy and eArly Childhood nutrItion triaL (ECAIL)

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial among 800 socially disadvantaged pregnant women and their families to test the effectiveness of a multi-component home visitation nutrition program, compared to usual care, in promoting healthy feeding practices, lifestyle behaviors and growth in young children.

Read the detailed description

This randomized controlled trial will test an early home based multi-component intervention program designed to promote healthy feeding practices and lifestyle behaviors in socially disadvantaged pregnant women and their families. It first seeks to build knowledge, skills and social support regarding maternal diet and feeding practices (with a focus on breastfeeding and complementary feeding), and lifestyle behaviors, within the frame of the French Nutrition and Health Program (Programme National Nutrition Santé, PNNS) while accounting for the cultural background and barriers of the targeted population (component 1). It also involves fresh fruit and vegetable baskets, kitchen utensils and cooking devices, being made available at a reduced price from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to when the toddler is aged 24 months (component 2), along with the provision of follow-on formula, baby and family food vouchers from 6 to 24 months (component 3). The intervention group (n=400) will benefit from these 3 program components. The control group (n=400) will receive usual care, restricted to general information on healthy eating provided by the food guides of the PNNS. The ECAIL study will assess the program's effectiveness on lifestyle behaviors and growth in the first 2 years of life.

Noteworthy, the program evaluated for effectiveness with the ECAIL trial is an existing program, called the MALIN program (https://www.programme-malin.com/), which has been progressively implemented in mainland France since 2012, to the exception of the ECAIL study area. Since 2019, counselling on movement behaviors, including the promotion of physical activity and the prevention of sedentary behaviors (e.g. screen time), has been added to the diet and feeding practices educational component; discount vouchers have further encompassed other healthy foods and products appropriate for all family members; and online sales for kitchen utensils and cooking devices have been started too.

Being tested
Experimental: Intervention Program, Active comparator: Usual Care
Keywords
Infant, Diet, Growth, Breastfeeding, Complementary feeding, Pregnancy, Body mass index, Social disadvantage, Randomized controlled trial, Education, Food vouchers, Physical activity, Screen
Medical subject headings
Motor Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Breast Feeding

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Experimental: Intervention ProgramBehavioural

    The home based educational component from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to when the child is aged 24 months seeks to build knowledge, skills and social support (social cognitive theory, anticipatory guidance) to the parents regarding feeding practices (focussing on breastfeeding and complementary feeding), and lifestyle behaviors, consistent with the French Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) guidelines (component 1). Fresh fruit and vegetable baskets, kitchen utensils and cooking devices are made available at a reduced price from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to when the toddler is aged 24 m (component 2), along with the provision of follow-on formula, baby and family food vouchers from 6 to 24 m (component 3).

    One home visit is scheduled during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Another visit will take place in the maternity ward after the child is born. Five further home visits will take place when the child is aged 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 m.

  • Active comparator: Usual CareBehavioural

    Usual Care reflects the standard treatment currently provided within the frame of the French health care system. One home visit is scheduled during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Another visit will take place in the maternity ward after the child is born. Five further home visits will take place when the child is aged 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 m. If nutritional questions are raised by parents, dieticians will restrict their responses based on the food guides of the PNNS.

Study groups in NCT03003117
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention ProgramExperimentalExperimental: Intervention Program
Receives: Behavioral: Experimental: Intervention Program
Usual CareActive comparatorActive comparator: Usual Care
Receives: Behavioral: Active comparator: Usual Care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Frequency of vegetable consumption (times/day) at age 2 years

    Measured at 2 years using a food frequency questionnaire

    Measured: 2 years of age

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Breastfeeding initiation rate

    Measured at different time points from birth to 2 y (scheduled at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months of age) using questionnaires

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  2. Predominant and any breastfeeding durations

    Measured at different time points from birth to 2 y (scheduled at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months of age) using questionnaires

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  3. Age at complementary feeding introduction

    Measured at different time points from birth to 2 y (scheduled at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months of age) using questionnaires

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  4. Age at first introduction of processed (but not baby-specific) foods

    Measured at different time points from birth to 2 y (scheduled at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months of age) using questionnaires

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  5. Frequency of vegetable consumption (times/day) at age 1 year

    Measured at 1 year using a food frequency questionnaire

    Measured: 1 year of age

  6. Dietary patterns at age 1 year

    Measured at 1 year using a food frequency questionnaire

    Measured: 1 year of age

  7. Lifestyle patterns at age 1 year

    Measured at 1 year using dietary variables from the food frequency questionnaire; and movement behavioral variables (physical activity and sedentary behaviors) measured with a questionnaire. Lifestyle patterns will be derived using principal component analysis

    Measured: 1 year of age

  8. Weight growth velocity over the six first months of life

    Weight measured at different time points from birth to 6 months of age

    Measured: Up to 6 months of age

  9. BMI at age 2 years

    Weight, length and BMI measured at different time points from birth to 2 y

    Measured: 2 years of age

  10. Proportion of children that are overweight or obese at age 2 years

    Weight, length and BMI measured at different time points from birth to 2 y

    Measured: 2 years of age

  11. Dietary patterns at age 2 years

    Measured at 2 years using a food frequency questionnaire

    Measured: 2 years of age

  12. Lifestyle patterns at age 2 years

    Measured at 2 years using dietary variables from the food frequency questionnaire; and movement behavioral variables (physical activity and sedentary behaviors) measured with a questionnaire. Lifestyle patterns will be derived using principal component analysis

    Measured: 2 years of age

  13. Weight growth curves from birth to 2 y

    Weight measured at different time points from birth to 2 y

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  14. Length growth curves from birth to 2 y

    Length measured at different time points from birth to 2 y

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

  15. BMI curves from birth to 2 y

    BMI measured at different time points from birth to 2 y

    Measured: Up to 2 years of age

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 Dec 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start3 Apr 2017
  3. Primary completion31 Aug 2026
  4. Study completion31 Aug 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
607 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03003117
Sponsor's protocol ID
2014-A00849-38
Other IDs
n°CPP 03/010/2014
Acronym
ECAIL
Status last verified
Sep 2026
First submitted
21 Dec 2016
Last updated
9 Sep 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Poquet D, Le Gal C, Hincker P, Beghin L, Deplanque D, Subtil D, Sion O, Cavalli B, Vanhoutte L, Jacobsen V, Marr K, Sakellaris I, de Lauzon Guillain B, Charles MA, Ley D, Sauvegrain P, Lioret S. Reach and engagement in the ECAIL trial targeting socially disadvantaged families across the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis: A mixed-methods implementation study. PLoS One. 2026 Oct 8;21(10):e0350372. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0350372. eCollection 2026.

    PubMed 42848780
  • Poquet D, de Lauzon-Guillain B, Ley D, Charles MA, Sauvegrain P, Lioret S. Intentions, practices, and social representations regarding breastfeeding among women experiencing social disadvantage: findings from the qualitative component of the ECAIL trial. Int Breastfeed J. 2026 Jan 23;21(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s13006-026-00812-1.

    PubMed 41578315
  • Lioret S, Sion O, Hincker P, Beghin L, de Lauzon-Guillain B, Cavalli B, Salinier C, Turck D, Perez N, Subtil D, Brun S, Charlier M, Creps E, Dehon A, Le Gal C, Poquet D, Sauvegrain P, Heude B, Deplanque D, Meyran D, Devouge P, Ley D, Charles MA. Home visiting intervention over pregnancy and the first two years of life to promote healthy feeding practices and energy balance-related behaviors and prevent obesity risk in children from socially disadvantaged families: protocol for a participant-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial-the ECAIL study. BMC Public Health. 2025 Oct 29;25(1):3659. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25004-0.

    PubMed 41162889

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Experimental: Intervention Program in people with Diet and Growth, run by French Red Cross at 2 sites in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Frequency of vegetable consumption (times/day) at age 2 years (time frame: 2 years of age). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03003117, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Sep 2026.

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