Intervention INC: An Interactive Family-centered mHealth Tool to Reduce Obesity Risk in Urban Minority Preadolescents
Tufts University
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.
Description
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 de…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
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 participatin…
Interventions
- BehavioralWeb-based comic and newsletters
Web-based comic and health messages (child component) and health newsletters (parent component)
- BehavioralDidactic health information
Web-based newsletters (for child and parent) by email and/or text
Locations (2)
- Milbank Health Center - Children's AidNew York, New York
- Bronx Health Center - Children's AidThe Bronx, New York