The objective of this study is to implement and test the efficacy of the "Summer Harvest Adventure," a comprehensive garden-based behavioral, social, and environmental intervention for children (ages 8-11 years) residing in low-resource communities.
The investigators will conduct a 2-arm randomized controlled trial designed to determine the efficacy of a multifaceted obesity prevention and lifestyle intervention in low-resource children and parent/adult caregiver (PAC) called "Summer Harvest Adventure." A total of 240 children (ages 8-11 years) will be randomized to the garden-based intervention (SHA) or an enhanced control group (MSP). Summer Harvest Adventure includes: 1) remote and group coaching using a focused motivational interviewing approach; 2) weekly fruit, vegetable, and herb harvesting to increase summer food access; and 3) group education for children and their families in a social setting. Assessments for both groups will be collected at orientation held one week prior to the intervention (week 0), and immediately following the completion of the intervention (week 10) by trained personnel that are blinded to participants' treatment arm assignment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
192
Biobehavioral intervention focusing on nutrition and lifestyle behaviors.
My Summer Plate (MSP)
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Produce Intake
Change in fruit and vegetable intake as assessed by dermal skin carotenoid scores using Raman Spectroscopy (Pharmanex NuSkin Biophotonic Scanner model S3). Dermal skin carotenoid scores range 10,000-85,000, with higher scores indicating higher skin carotenoid levels.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
Weight
Change in weight will be recorded with a precision of 0.1 kilogram (kg)
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
Family Engagement
Change in family engagement as assessed by the Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist. The Expressed Emotion Adjective Checklist (EEAC) is a self-reported measure of expressed emotions. Twenty items are summed to a total score (range 20-140); higher scores indicate more positive expressed emotion (better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
Blood Pressure
Change in blood pressure will be measured using non-invasive brachial blood pressure assessment using oscillometric technology (automated devices) to obtain blood pressure readings
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
Height
Change in standing height will be measured to the nearest 1 mm using a standardized fixed stadiometer with a vertical backboard and moveable headboard
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
BMI Percentile
BMI will be calculated using weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m). BMI-for-age percentile growth charts will be used to measure the size and growth patterns of children in the study
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks
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