intervention inc: an interactive family-centered mhealth tool to reduce obesity risk in urban minority preadolescents

Conditions: Obesity, Childhood

Summary: using a two-group randomized study design, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted family-centered mhealth tool on child bmi z-score (primary outcome), child dietary behaviors, and parental feeding practices, from baseline to 12-month follow-up, among 200 child-parent dyads. it is hypothesized that children in the experimental group will demonstrate larger bmi-z score improvements between baseline and 12-month follow-up compared to children in the comparison group.

childhood obesity continues to be a serious clinical and public health issue in the united states (us), particularly within low-income, minority groups. effective, yet engaging interventions, such as the one developed by our team, are needed to capture the attention of children living in a multi-media environment. potentially eligible pediatric patients (and their parent/caregiver) will be recruited from two of children's aid community-based clinics in nyc - dunlevy milbank center based in harlem and the bronx health center based in the south bronx. a variety of recruitment methods will be deployed, including in-person/flyer-based recruitment in clinic waiting rooms, healthcare provider referrals, and direct calls. at baseline, eligible participants will be randomized to either the experimental group or comparison group (allocation ratio 1:1). randomization will be performed at the dyad level and will be balanced on child ethnicity (hispanic or non-hispanic), child biological sex (male, female), and clinic site. the experimental group will receive access to intervention inc, a theory-guided interactive, family-centered web-based tool promoting healthy dietary behaviors. the comparison group will receive access to web-based newsletters focused on promoting healthy dietary behaviors. to minimize bias, participants will be blinded to the study's hypothesis. data will be collected at four timepoints: baseline (t1), main intervention end (t2), maintenance intervention end (t3), and at 12-month follow-up (t4). the primary outcome measure (bmi z-score) will be calculated using height and weight data captured via combined scale/stadiometer by a trained healthcare provider at t1, t3, t4. secondary measures (dietary intake and dietary knowledge \& attitudes of child participants; feeding practices and the home food environment by the parent/caregiver) will be captured via questionnaires at t1, t2, t3, t4.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria (child): * self-identifies as black/african-american and/or latino * between ages 8 and 12 years (preadolescents) at time of scheduled baseline visits * reads and speaks in english * has a body mass index percentile at or above 5% at baseline (categorized as healthy, overweight, or obese) * has regular internet access via a tablet device, smartphone, or computer/laptop * has regular access to a phone with texting capability * is comfortable reading/viewing material on electronic devices * is comfortable speaking with study staff about thoughts/experiences while participating in study * has a legal parent/guardian willing to participate in study inclusion criteria (parent): * legal parent/guardian of child willing to participate in study * reads and speaks in english or spanish * primarily responsible for preparing/purchasing food for child * has regular internet access via a tablet device, smartphone, or computer/laptop * has regular access to a phone with texting capability * comfortable reading/viewing material on electronic devices * able to attend in-person study visits and complete online questionnaires with their child over the full duration of study exclusion criteria (child): * has allergies, food aversions, food disorders, or medications with side-effects that may impact participation in study * has a pacemaker or heart condition * in foster care