The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether an intervention targeting healthy habit development reduces the risk and prevalence of obesity in low-income mothers and children. The study intends to evaluate whether the intervention, delivered in the context of home visitation services for low-income families, reduces weight gain and risk factors associated with parent and childhood obesity compared to those receiving standard home visitation services.
Participants will be 140 mothers (\>50% African American; 100% meet federal poverty level) and their children (n=140; 0-4yo at baseline) (total of N=140 mother-child dyads; i.e., 140 mothers + 140 children = 280 total participants) enrolled in our home visitation partner in central Alabama. Home visitors will be randomly assigned to deliver the home visitation curriculum with or without HABITS (an obesity prevention program targeting key eating and activity behaviors) as part of their monthly home visits for 12 months. Treatment sessions for standard of care or standard + HABITS arms will be facilitated by trained home visitors. If a mother or primary caregiver and her child are randomized to participate in the HABITS + Standard home visitation curriculum, they will receive \~15 minutes of information, activities, and assistance regarding the development of key behaviors relating to obesity prevention, which will be imbedded within the existing home visitation curriculum. The HABITS program will address habit-formation of four behaviors relevant to mothers or primary caregivers and children: (1) limit fried foods; (2) limit sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB); (3) increase daily steps; (4) increase fruits and vegetables. Additionally, mothers or primary caregivers will also practice habit formation focused on self-monitoring of weight and the four behaviors previously mentioned. Skill training will focus on habit formation and home environment modification conducive to the four behaviors. Mothers or primary caregivers in the intervention group will be provided the HABITS + standard home visitation program for 12 months, while those in the control group will be provided the standard home visitation program during this time. Treatment in the control arm includes the content and services typically provided by the home visitation partner, which is focused on promoting caregiver and child health by providing screenings and referrals, encouraging smoking cessation, promoting safe sleep practices, and strengthening children's school readiness and achievement, social/emotional and physical development.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
296
The HABITS program will target 5 key behaviors (physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, decreasing sugary beverages, decreasing fried foods, and encouraging regular self-monitoring and self-weighing) aimed at reducing obesity risk in mothers or primary caregivers and children.
Treatment in the control arm includes the content and services typically provided by the home visitation partner, which is focused on promoting caregiver and child health by providing screenings and referrals, encouraging smoking cessation, promoting safe sleep practices, and strengthening children's school readiness and achievement, social/emotional and physical development.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Weight of Mothers
Body weight (kg) at baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Weight of Children
Body weight (kg) at baseline and follow-up assessments..
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Habit Strength of Targeted Behaviors
Habit strength for caregivers will be assessed using the Self-Reported Habit Index (SRHI) specific to target behaviors on a scale from 1-5 with scores of 5 indicating higher caregiver habit strength for the target behavior.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Household Environment Assessing the Number of Different Food Items Available
Household environment assessing the number of different food items available in the home of the caregiver will be assessed using a modified Home Food Assessment (HFA) relating to the 4 food-related target behaviors (fruits, vegetables, sugary beverages, and fried foods). Higher values indicate more different food items in that category (fruits, vegetables, sugary beverages, and fried foods) are available within the home.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
Household Environment Assessing the Number of Different Activity-promoting Items Available
Household environment assessing the number of different activity-promoting items available in the home of the caregiver will be assessed using a modified Home - Inventory Describing Eating and Activity Development (H-IDEA) form. Higher values indicate more availability of different activity-promoting items in the home.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months
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