FITLINE: Pediatric Practice-based Obesity Intervention to Support Families

The proposed five-year cluster randomized controlled pediatric practice-based trial will
compare the effectiveness of two practice-based interventions on improving diet and physical
activity and reducing BMI among overweight and obese 8-12 year olds seen in pediatric
practice: (1) Fitline-Coaching, consisting of a pediatric practice-based component plus
Fitline counseling and workbook, or (2) Fitline-Workbook, consisting of the same
practice-based component, but only the family workbook materials mailed over 8 weeks, with no
referral to Fitline coaching. Sixteen pediatric primary care practices will be randomized to
either the Fitline-Coaching (N=8) or the Fitline-Materials (N=8) condition. Five hundred and
twelve parents and their children ages 8-12 with a body mass index (BMI) of > 85th percentile
(overweight or obese) will be recruited from the practices to achieve N=400 at 12 month
follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. child BMI >= 85th percentile for age/sex,

2. participating parent and child English speaking,

3. parent has access to a telephone and is available to participate in telephone
counseling sessions, and

4. referred by the child's primary care provider.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. planning to move out of the area during the period of study participation,

2. medical condition that precludes adherence to AAP dietary and physical activity
recommendations,

3. genetic or endocrine causes of obesity,

4. prescribed medications associated with weight gain,

5. child on psychiatric medications, and/or

6. morbidly obese (> 300 pounds). -