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Family Influences to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Childhood Obesity
Interventions
Behavioral: 4-Health Educational curriculum
Behavioral: Healthy Living Information
Registration Number
NCT01510587
Lead Sponsor
Montana State University
Brief Summary

The main goal of this project is to develop, deliver, and assess the efficacy of a parent-centered educational program (4-Health) designed to prevent preteen children from becoming overweight.

Detailed Description

Previous studies suggest that parents can play a key role in preventing childhood obesity. Program objectives are to increase parents' knowledge and skills related to nutrition, physical activity, and best parenting practices. Developed from a successful existing program, the proposed program will include a novel classroom curriculum coupled with outside exercises, online resources, and a strong social support network. The curriculum will be developed with input from stakeholders during year 1 and implemented during years 2 and 3. The target groups are children and parents participating in 4-H Youth Development Programs in Montana. Intervention effectiveness will be assessed by comparing objective and self-report data between-groups (intervention vs. control) and within-groups (pre- to post-intervention and at 6 month follow-up). Physiological measures, including resting heart rate, blood pressure, body weight and age- and gender-specific BMI z-scores of children, are expected to show significant improvement among children of parents receiving the intervention compared to a mailed written materials control group. In addition, positive changes are anticipated in outcome measures provided by parents and children, including levels of daily physical activity and specific food and nutrition behaviors. Positive changes in parents' attitudes about diet, body image, and their perceived feeding practices before versus after intervention and at 6 month follow-up are also expected. This project will lead to improved understanding of how parents influence child obesity and improved interventions to prevent obesity.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
194
Inclusion Criteria
  • Parent of 8-12 year old child in 4-H Youth Development Programs in Montana
  • Child of parent enrolled in study
Exclusion Criteria
  • Parent of child age outside the 8-12 year old range at start of trial

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
4-Health Educational curriculum4-Health Educational curriculumParents participate in 10 face-to-face educational sessions delivered by Extension Agents at individual county locations over a 8-month period (fall to spring).
Healthy Living InformationHealthy Living InformationParticipants receive 10 mailed packets of written information derived from USDA's MyPlate website on approximately the same schedule as meetings of the experimental group.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change child body mass index z-score.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in youth and parent self-reported physical activity.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child and parent physical activity self-efficacy.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child and parent dietary self-efficacy.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child and parent body image.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child quality of life via self-report and parent report.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in parent body mass index.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child and parent diastolic and systolic blood pressure.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up
Change in child and parent heart rate.Baseline, end of program, 6 month follow up

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Montana State University

🇺🇸

Bozeman, Montana, United States

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