The Resource Information Program for Parents on Lifestyle and Education

Summary

Childhood obesity is an urgent public health issue. Roughly one-quarter of Canadian children are overweight, putting them at risk for chronic diseases. Because most families access health services in primary care, it is an ideal venue for obesity prevention. Specifically, programs in primary care can prevent unhealthy weight gain in healthy weight children (primary prevention) AND reduce unhealthy weight gain in children who are already overweight (secondary prevention). Parents play a key role in children's health, so it is vital to include parents in strategies to prevent childhood obesity.

The following objectives of this study are to: (i) develop a web-based, brief program for parents as an educational tool to motivate parents to support healthy lifestyles in children, and access community resources and health services that can prevent childhood obesity; (ii) assess the acceptability of the program using focus groups with parents, and pediatric-focused health care professionals, trainees, and administrators; and (iii) recruit parents (n=200) in primary care and collect data at baseline and 1-month follow-up to explore if the program led to changes in parents' motivation to support their children's lifestyle habits, and families' use of resources and health services to prevent childhood obesity.

It is hypothesized that the developed screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) will (i) encourage parents of healthy weight children to seek resources to eat healthfully and be physically active to maintain their weight status (primary \[1°\] prevention), and (ii) guide parents of unhealthy weight children to access educational tools and community services to reduce their child's obesity and associated health risks (secondary \[2°\] prevention).

By providing families with tailored feedback, practical educational tools, and information on local health services, this research will help to address oft-cited barriers primary care clinicians commonly report when providing effective obesity-related health services, and encourage family self-management of obesity-related behaviors.

Conditions

• Pediatric Obesity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Eat It

The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment), called RIPPLE (Resource Information Program for Parents on Lifestyle Education) was delivered on a study-designated tablet and designed to (1) screen children's weight status, (2) deliver a brief intervention\*, and (3) provide parents with the opportunity select resources and services to help prevent obesity in children. \*Two brief questions about children's grain portion sizes and sugar sweetened beverage intake were presented.

BEHAVIORAL

Move It

The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment), called RIPPLE (Resource Information Program for Parents on Lifestyle Education) was delivered on a study-designated tablet and designed to (1) screen children's weight status, (2) deliver a brief intervention\*, and (3) provide parents with the opportunity select resources and services to help prevent obesity in children. \*Two brief questions about children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen time were presented.

BEHAVIORAL

eHealth Control

The eHealth Control group (1) screened children's weight status, and (2) provided parents with the opportunity select resources and services to help prevent obesity in children.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

  collaborator OTHER

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• University of Alberta

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Geoff DC Ball, PhD · University of Alberta

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-10-31

Primary Completion

2015-10-31

Completion

2015-11-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations