Childhood Obesity Management Using Innovative Digital Technology
This study is exploring how to best help families with children aged 8-12 develop healthy living habits. It's for children who are at risk of being above a healthy weight. The study involves a 10-week online program called the Family Healthy Living Program (FHLP), where families take part in weekly group sessions. Researchers want to see if these guided sessions are more helpful than families just using online resources on their own. They will follow families for a full year to understand the long-term impact on physical activity and healthy eating. The goal is to find effective ways to support families in making positive health changes.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research project is looking into the best ways to help families with children aged 8-12 years old to live healthier lives. It's specially designed for families where children are at risk of being above a healthy weight and want to improve habits like being more active and eating well.
The study offers a 10-week program called the Family Healthy Living Program (FHLP). This online program involves both parents and children working together in weekly group sessions with a team of facilitators. There are also extra online resources available. To understand if these guided group sessions are truly helpful, the study will compare families taking part in the FHLP with another group of families who will only receive access to similar healthy living materials online that they can use at their own pace.
By comparing these two groups, the researchers aim to discover if the guided group sessions make a bigger difference in helping families adopt healthier habits than just providing online resources. Participants will be followed for a full year after the 10-week program ends to see if the positive changes last over time. The information gathered will help create better support programs for families in the future.
Key takeaways
- It helps families with children aged 8-12 understand and improve healthy habits.
- It compares guided online group sessions to just using online healthy living materials.
- Participation involves weekly sessions (for one group) and surveys/measurements over 12 months.
- Children will wear a Fitbit to track activity.
- The study helps improve future support programs for families.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for families with children between 8 and 12 years old. For your child to be considered, their weight for their age and height needs to be above a certain level that medical professionals use as a guideline for being at risk of being overweight. At least one parent or guardian must be willing to join the study with their child.
It's important that both the child and parent can speak, read, and write in English, as the program and surveys are in English. Also, children need to be able to do physical activities without any medical conditions stopping them. If a child has a health issue that prevents physical exercise, they wouldn't be able to join.
Only children aged 8-12 years who meet the weight guidelines are eligible. If your child's weight is below this guideline, they wouldn't be able to take part in this particular study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is my child between 8 and 12 years old?
- Is my child at risk of being above a healthy weight (as per a doctor's assessment)?
- Can my child and I speak, read, and write in English?
- Does my child have any medical conditions that would prevent them from being physically active?
- Am I, as a parent or guardian, able to participate with my child?
What does participation involve?
If you and your child decide to take part in this study, you'll either join the 10-week Family Healthy Living Program or receive access to online healthy living resources. The Family Healthy Living Program involves 9 weekly online group sessions, each lasting two hours, with a team guiding you. Both groups will have access to additional online resources.
Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete surveys four times: just before starting, right after the 10-week program finishes, then six months later, and finally 12 months after the program ends. At these same four times, your child will have their height and weight measured. They will also be given a Fitbit activity watch to wear, which will record their daily steps. The total time you'll be involved with the study, including all follow-ups, will be 12 months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University of VictoriaVerified postcodeVictoria, Canada
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The study aims to find out if guided online group sessions help families with children aged 8-12 adopt healthier habits more effectively than simply providing online resources.
How long will my family be involved?
Your family will be involved for a total of 12 months. This includes a 10-week program or access to resources, plus follow-up surveys and measurements at 6 and 12 months.
Will I have to pay for anything?
No, you will not have to pay to participate in this research study.
What kind of information will the study collect about my child?
The study will collect information from surveys, your child's height and weight measurements, and their daily step counts from a Fitbit watch.
Do both parents and children have to take part?
Yes, for the Family Healthy Living Program, both parents and children participate together. At least one parent and the child must be involved.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.