None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Previous reviews have investigated the impact of technology-based overweight and obesity interventions in childhood with some studies reporting changes in adiposity, dietary and/or physical activity outcomes. Parent-focussed eHealth studies have not been well investigated to date and there is an absence of studies targeting children under the age of five years, an age group where parental influence is probably the most profound. This study is a two-arm randomised controlled trial, underpinned by Social Cognitive Theory. To be eligible to participate, children must be pre-school-aged (2-5 years) and overweight or obese or be at risk of becoming overweight or obese. The Time2bHealthy intervention is a 12-week online behaviour change program, consisting of modules on nutrition, physical activity, screen-time and sleep. The key component of the program is the setting and revision of goals following completion of each of the modules. The control group will receive emails directing them to various topics on an evidence-based parenting website. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of a parent-focussed lifestyle behaviour change program in facilitating behaviour change among families with a preschool aged child who is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. The study aims to bring about change via an online program where parents are the agents of change. Outcomes such as child body mass index, diet, physical activity, screen-time, sleep and parent self-efficacy will be assessed. The study will make an important contribution to the literature by addressing an acknowledged gap in regard to internet interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of childhood obesity where parents are the agent of change as there is currently an absence of randomised controlled trails in the preschool age group.
Interventions
The Time2bHealthy intervention is a 12-week online behaviour change program, consisting of six modules on topics including nutrition, physical activity, screen-time and sleep. Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and modules are completed over a two-week period. Each module can be completed in one session or a number of sessions over the two-week period. The modules requires some reading, watching videos, completing activities and setting goals. Feedback will be provided by
The Time2bHealthy intervention is a 12-week online behaviour change program, consisting of six modules on topics including nutrition, physical activity, screen-time and sleep. Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and modules are completed over a two-week period. Each module can be completed in one session or a number of sessions over the two-week period. The modules requires some reading, watching videos, completing activities and setting goals. Feedback will be provided by health consultants via the website regarding the goals set, with advice provided to enhance the goals in line with the SMART goal framework. Feedback and support will be provided in regard to the participant’s progress with the goal. Feedback on goals and progress will be provided on a fortnightly basis. Additionally, participants will receive weekly emails to remind them to log onto the website. A closed (secret) Facebook group will be accessible to participants. The group will be regularly monitored and moderated to ensure that the information discussed is consistent with evidence-based guidelines. Participants will be asked to provide regular input to the group by sharing recipes/photos of meals, healthy snacks, suitable physical activities and personal ideas and experiences in regard to reducing screen time and improving sleep.
Sponsors
University of Wollongong
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
2 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- Child aged 2-5 years - Greater than or equal to 50th WHO BMI percentile - Parent has a Facebook account (or is willing to create one)
Exclusion criteria
- WHO BMI percentile <50 - Prader-Willi syndrome - Bardet-Biedl syndrome - diabetes - PKU or other metabolic disorders - cystic fibrosis - significant physical disability or developmental disability - (eg. restricts age-appropriate play) - any other diseases conditions or syndromes associated with obesity or other chronic disease - Medications that may influence weight gain, such as Ritalin or other therapy for attention deficit hyper-activity disorder, long-term steroids (short-term for acute asthma & inhaled steroids acceptable) or anti-psychotic medications - No Facebook account (and unwilling to create one)
Outcome results
None listed