Intervention INC: An Interactive Family-centered mHealth Tool to Reduce Obesity Risk in Urban Minority Preadolescents

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.

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