Mothers' Thoughts About Kids and Eating
Condition: Overweight
MeSH terms: Overweight
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Summary:

        -  A few studies have explored the effects of providing parents with health information
           about their children. However, more information is needed about the relationship between
           awareness of health information and changes in behavior. This study will investigate the
           impact of health information on choices that parents make about food for their children.

        -  Mothers and fathers with a biological child between the ages of 3-7 years old may be
           eligible for this study. Participants are recruited from the Washington, DC metropolitan
           area.

        -  In this study, before visiting the research center, participants will answer online
           questionnaires about their children's health and eating habits and their own health and
           eating habits.

        -  At the research center, participants will use a virtual reality model of a buffet to
           make food choices for their children. Participants will be introduced to the
           computer-based virtual buffet scenario as a training session to prepare for using the
           buffet during the experimental context. While in the virtual environment, participants
           wear a virtual reality helmet that allows them to see the virtual buffet scenario.

        -  After the training session, participants will watch an interactive computer presentation
           about a health topic.

        -  Participants will then visit the virtual buffet scenario again for the formal session,
           and will choose a virtual lunch meal for their child as before.

        -  At the end of their visit, participants will complete post-test questionnaires about
           their experiences during the experiment and other research-related information.

        -  Participants will be asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire online a week after
           their visit

        -  The total time for the study visit is approximately 90 minutes. The participants
           children will not be asked to take part in the study.

      Eligibility:

      - Men and Women at least 18 years of age who have a biological child between the ages of 3
      and 7 who has no major diet-related health conditions, developmental delays, or disabilities.
      You may not take part in the study if you have a history of seizures and/or are pregnant.
    

Detailed description: 
      Purpose

      This study will investigate the impact of health information on choices that parents make
      about food for their children. Participants will use a virtual reality model of a buffet to
      make food choices.

      Mothers and fathers with a biological child between the ages of 3-7 years old may be eligible
      for this study. Participants are recruited from the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

      Study participants will complete THREE sets of surveys and one task. Participants will
      complete a web-based survey before coming in for a study appointment. When participants
      arrive for their appointment, they will watch an interactive presentation on health
      information. Next, participants will interact in a virtual reality environment and will be
      asked to select virtual lunch for their child from a buffet. While in the virtual
      environment, a participant wears a head-mounted virtual reality headset that allows him/her
      to see elements of the environment. Participants will complete an additional computer-based
      survey. Finally, participants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire a week
      following their visit. The total time for the study visit is approximately 90 minutes. The
      participants children will not be asked to take part in the study.

      Detailed Description

      This study will investigate issues around the impact of health information on choices that
      parents make about food for their children. Participants will perform tasks that include
      completing computer-based surveys, watching an interactive computer-based presentation about
      health information, participating in a virtual reality model by selecting virtual lunch for
      their children from a buffet, and completing a computed-based exit survey. As part of the
      study, participants will wear a virtual reality helmet and be immersed in a buffet where they
      will select virtual lunch for their child.

      For this study, we are only recruiting men and women that have a biological child between the
      ages of 3-7 years old. You may not take part in the study if you have a history of seizures
      and/or are pregnant.
    

Intervention name(s): Reading Information
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Reading information about risk factors for obesity among children
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Risk Perception; Obesity Risk; Healthy Volunteer; HV