The mFIT Study (Motivating Families With Interactive Technology)
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 9 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | February 2015 |
| End Date: | December 2015 |
Enhancing Parent-Child Communication and Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Through Mobile Technology: the mFIT Study (Motivating Families With Interactive Technology)
The high rates of childhood obesity in the US demand innovative and cost-effective weight
gain prevention tools; mobile applications (apps) represent one such solution. Using a
randomized design, the mFIT study tests the effectiveness of using commercially available
apps and a physical activity (PA) monitoring device (Tech, n=50 parent-child dyads) compared
to the apps and PA device plus a mobile website and theory-based family intervention that
encourages increased parent-child communication about PA and healthy eating as well as
family behavior change (Tech+, n=50 parent-child dyads).
gain prevention tools; mobile applications (apps) represent one such solution. Using a
randomized design, the mFIT study tests the effectiveness of using commercially available
apps and a physical activity (PA) monitoring device (Tech, n=50 parent-child dyads) compared
to the apps and PA device plus a mobile website and theory-based family intervention that
encourages increased parent-child communication about PA and healthy eating as well as
family behavior change (Tech+, n=50 parent-child dyads).
Objectives and Significance. Finding scalable and engaging ways to disseminate obesity
treatment and prevention for children has been challenging. Mobile applications (apps) are
an engaging way to involve children in health behavior changes, capitalizing on the
portability and affordability of delivering health information via mobile devices and the
opportunity to use gaming to make health information entertaining. Previous research by our
team, including a systematic review of commercially available mobile apps for family weight
loss, physical activity, and healthy eating as well as a pilot test of commercially
available apps and physical activity monitoring devices with parent-child dyads, revealed
significant gaps in the available mobile tools. The proposed study will test the
effectiveness of using commercially available apps and a physical activity monitoring device
(Tech) compared to the apps and physical activity device plus a mobile website and
theory-based family intervention that encourages increased parent-child communication about
physical activity and healthy eating and family behavior change (Tech+). The two programs
will be administered remotely via email, mobile apps, and a mobile website to parent-child
dyads (child 9-12 years old), using over a 3-month intervention period. Parent-child dyads
will be randomized to the two behavioral interventions: Tech (50 dyads) or Tech+ (50 dyads).
Our proposed research has two aims:
Aim 1: Test the effectiveness of an evidence-based mobile intervention with enhanced
parent/child communication (Tech+) versus commercially available products (physical activity
and healthy eating apps, physical activity device) alone (Tech) for improvements in physical
activity and healthy eating in parents and children.
Aim 2: Examine the impacts of evidence-based family intervention on parent-child
relationship quality and communication about physical activity and healthy eating.
treatment and prevention for children has been challenging. Mobile applications (apps) are
an engaging way to involve children in health behavior changes, capitalizing on the
portability and affordability of delivering health information via mobile devices and the
opportunity to use gaming to make health information entertaining. Previous research by our
team, including a systematic review of commercially available mobile apps for family weight
loss, physical activity, and healthy eating as well as a pilot test of commercially
available apps and physical activity monitoring devices with parent-child dyads, revealed
significant gaps in the available mobile tools. The proposed study will test the
effectiveness of using commercially available apps and a physical activity monitoring device
(Tech) compared to the apps and physical activity device plus a mobile website and
theory-based family intervention that encourages increased parent-child communication about
physical activity and healthy eating and family behavior change (Tech+). The two programs
will be administered remotely via email, mobile apps, and a mobile website to parent-child
dyads (child 9-12 years old), using over a 3-month intervention period. Parent-child dyads
will be randomized to the two behavioral interventions: Tech (50 dyads) or Tech+ (50 dyads).
Our proposed research has two aims:
Aim 1: Test the effectiveness of an evidence-based mobile intervention with enhanced
parent/child communication (Tech+) versus commercially available products (physical activity
and healthy eating apps, physical activity device) alone (Tech) for improvements in physical
activity and healthy eating in parents and children.
Aim 2: Examine the impacts of evidence-based family intervention on parent-child
relationship quality and communication about physical activity and healthy eating.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants must include 1 child (age 9-12) and their parent or guardian
- Parent not currently meeting physical activity guidelines (participants will be
eligible if they currently engage in aerobic activities for less than 2 hours and 30
minutes/week and strength training <2 days/week)
- Own and use a smartphone and/or a tablet with a data plan (e.g., iPhone, iPad)
- Live in the same household as the child
- Are willing to be randomized to one of the two intervention groups
- Willing and able to be physically active
Exclusion Criteria:
- Has a psychiatric disease, drug or alcohol dependency, or uncontrolled thyroid
condition
- Has an eating disorder
- Currently participating in a weight loss program or taking weight loss medications
- Has a major chronic diseases, including: heart disease, past incidence of stroke,
uncontrolled diabetes
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