healthy homes, healthy habits

Conditions: Obesity; Obesity, Childhood; Obesity; Familial

Summary: the purpose of this study is to evaluate whether an intervention targeting healthy habit development reduces the risk and prevalence of obesity in low-income mothers and children. the study intends to evaluate whether the intervention, delivered in the context of home visitation services for low-income families, reduces weight gain and risk factors associated with parent and childhood obesity compared to those receiving standard home visitation services.

participants will be 140 mothers (\>50% african american; 100% meet federal poverty level) and their children (n=140; 0-4yo at baseline) (total of n=140 mother-child dyads; i.e., 140 mothers + 140 children = 280 total participants) enrolled in our home visitation partner in central alabama. home visitors will be randomly assigned to deliver the home visitation curriculum with or without habits (an obesity prevention program targeting key eating and activity behaviors) as part of their monthly home visits for 12 months. treatment sessions for standard of care or standard + habits arms will be facilitated by trained home visitors. if a mother or primary caregiver and her child are randomized to participate in the habits + standard home visitation curriculum, they will receive \~15 minutes of information, activities, and assistance regarding the development of key behaviors relating to obesity prevention, which will be imbedded within the existing home visitation curriculum. the habits program will address habit-formation of four behaviors relevant to mothers or primary caregivers and children: (1) limit fried foods; (2) limit sugar-sweetened beverages (ssb); (3) increase daily steps; (4) increase fruits and vegetables. additionally, mothers or primary caregivers will also practice habit formation focused on self-monitoring of weight and the four behaviors previously mentioned. skill training will focus on habit formation and home environment modification conducive to the four behaviors. mothers or primary caregivers in the intervention group will be provided the habits + standard home visitation program for 12 months, while those in the control group will be provided the standard home visitation program during this time. treatment in the control arm includes the content and services typically provided by the home visitation partner, which is focused on promoting caregiver and child health by providing screenings and referrals, encouraging smoking cessation, promoting safe sleep practices, and strengthening children's school readiness and achievement, social/emotional and physical development.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: \*important: mother (or caregiver) and child dyads are enrolled together. both must meet inclusion criteria to participate. mothers or primary caregivers: * age 18-75 years of age * enrollment in first teacher home visiting program (first teacher) through the family guidance center of alabama. * mother or primary caregiver of 0-4 year old child * generally healthy children: * 0-4 years of age at time of enrollment * parent or primary caregiver enrolled in first teacher exclusion criteria: mothers or primary caregivers: * currently enrolled in a diet and weight loss program, and either a) significant weight loss of 10+ pounds in the last 6 months, or b) unwilling to discontinue from current diet and weight loss program. children: * child has a history of a feeding or eating disorder

Keywords: obesity low-income health disparities home visitation prevention childhood obesity habit