Mentoring to be Active for Rural Appalachia Children

Appalachians die more frequently and at younger ages from obesity-related conditions than those living elsewhere. High prevalence of overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity in Appalachian children increases the severity of diabetes. In rural Appalachia, the diabetes mortality rate is 11% higher than the national rate.Over the course of two years, this study will test the effects of the Mentored Planning to be Active + Family intervention on physical activity outcomes (MVPA, exercise "bouts", sedentary behavior) and health outcomes (body composition: BMI, body fat, % body fat, weight) among rural Appalachian 7/8th grade children suffering from overweight and obesity. Having teens deliver the content via structured peer mentoring increases social support, motivation, and self-regulation to sustain PA behaviors to improve health outcomes as children enter high school. Using local residents for intervention delivery leverages rural Appalachians' preference to receive health information via established social networks and extends delivery of the program into the community. This study is a community-based randomized controlled trial targeting 7th grade students in rural Appalachia. Half (n = 144) will receive MPBA+F; the other half (n = 144) will receive self-guided (usual care) modules. Tenth-grade (n = 73) students from the same rural Appalachian counties will serve as peer mentors delivering MPBA for the peer mentoring group. Parents will provide a family reinforcement program during 8th grade and provide assessments of child behaviors and health outcomes. The long-term goal is to reduce the high rates of OW, OB/EO and type 2 diabetes in Appalachia youth through effective, sustainable interventions. Improving self-regulation, self-efficacy, and social support to increase intentional exercise and MVPA among underserved youth suffering from early-onset OB/EO builds healthier lifestyle behaviors at a critical development time.

Inclusion criteria

Children:

• enrolled in 7th grade at the start of the study,
• have a body mass index percentile of 85th or greater for age and gender,
• not under medical care for OB or type 1 diabetes,
• have reliable internet connection at home,
• have access to a computer, laptop or tablet at home,
• not expected to move from the participating county before the conclusion of the study.

Parents:

• read at a 5th grade-level,
• speak English,
• have a home-mailing address (not PO box),
• have a working telephone number, and
• are not expected to move from the participating county before study conclusion.

High school peer mentors:

• are in either 10th or 11th grade at the start of the recruitment,
• reside in a targeted county,
• interested in working with peers, supporting others, and striving to cultivate their own health-supportive behaviors,
• have reliable internet connection at home,
• have access to a computer, laptop or tablet at home,
• are not expected to move before the intervention ends,
• can speak English,
• are recommended by a teacher, school advisor, or counselor.

Exclusion criteria

Child:

• not in 7th grade at the start of the study.
• not able to read or Speak English;
• not classified as either overweight or obese at start of study.

Parents :

• not able to read or speak English.

High school peer mentors:

• cannot speak and read English.