The main purpose of vHAPPY is to pilot test a new type of virtual family-based healthy lifestyle program for children aged 8-14 with obesity and their caregivers. vHAPPY aims to (1) Transition a previously developed acceptance-based behavioral treatment to web-based platform, utilizing qualitative and quantitative program evaluation data from past participants. (2) Determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of the adapted web-based treatment. (3) Evaluate whether the adapted web-based treatment (self-guided treatment + brief coaching) is similar to the traditional treatment (interventionist-guided treatment) in terms of feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes utilizing a non-randomized sequential arm design.
Caregiver and child pairs will complete a 14 week virtual, self-guided healthy lifestyle program including education on health and wellness topics such as food groups, physical activity and stress management. Special skill builders for managing the thoughts, feelings and emotions associated with changing health behaviors will also be included. Pairs will have biweekly 15 minute coaching sessions to check in on progress in the past week, set goals and problem solve. Optional group sessions will be offered for peer support. In order to assess progress, pairs will also complete assessment visits before and after the program. These visits include one virtual assessment via Zoom and one in-person assessment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Caregivers and children will complete questionnaires and measures such has height, weight, blood pressure and a finger prick.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
The literature regarding the efficacy of web-based platforms for behavioral weight management interventions in pediatric populations continues to grow. Considering the continued increase in technology and internet use among youth, web-based interventions have the potential to serve as a more cost-effective and personalized approach to pediatric behavioral weight management. Extant research supports this consideration. More research that compares web-based vs. traditional delivery of acceptance-based pediatric behavioral weight management interventions is necessary to understand the utility of this platform as well as which aspects are most effective.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Acceptability - Interviews
Semi-structured group interviews will assess caregiver and child experiences with the program.
Time frame: 3.5 months
Acceptability - Surveys
Surveys will assess the utility of intervention content, intervention burden and satisfaction, participation barriers, and suggestions for change.
Time frame: 3.5 months
Feasibility - Interviews
Semi-structured group interviews will assess caregiver and child experiences with the program.
Time frame: 3.5 months
Feasibility - Surveys
Surveys will assess the utility of intervention content, intervention burden and satisfaction, participation barriers, and suggestions for change.
Time frame: 3.5 months
Child Body Mass Index Z-Score
Measure child's height and weight. Enter into the Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia Body Mass Index calculator.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Parent Body Mass Index
Measure parent's height and weight. Enter into the Centers for Disease Control adult Body Mass Index calculator.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Parent Subjective Executive Function
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) - Adult. Subjective EF will be measured using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function. The Global Severity Index will be used which is interpreted using T-scores. Higher t-scores indicate better function.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Child Subjective Executive Function
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) screener and BRIEF 2 (parent-report). Subjective EF will be measured using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function. The Global Severity Index will be used which is interpreted using T-scores. Higher t-scores indicate better function.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Parent Behavioral Functioning - Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7. Self-report questionnaire that will be used to measure parent anxiety symptoms over the past 2 weeks. Responses are coded 0-3. 0 = Not at all and 3 = Nearly every day. Total scores range from 0-21 and are ranked from minimal anxiety to severe anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Parent Behavioral Functioning - Depression
Patient Health Questionnaire 8. Self-report questionnaire that will be used to measure parent depressive symptoms over the past 2 weeks. Eight items, each of which is scored 0-3, providing a 0-24 severity score.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
Child Behavioral Functioning - Overall
Pediatric Symptom Checklist -17. A parent-proxy report screener of child risk for internalizing (depression), externalizing (oppositional defiant disorder), and attention problems (ADHD). Each item is rated as never, sometimes or often present and scored 0,1 and 2 respectively. Total score is calculated by adding together the score for each item. Three subscale scores (attention, externalizing and internalizing) are calculated by adding the score for appropriately categorized items.
Time frame: Baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (14 weeks) and six months post intervention (38 weeks)
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