Healthy Eating Program for Childhood Obesity

Overseen By Martha Rojo, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arkansas

Disqualifiers: Illiteracy

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

64 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Childhood obesity is a national problem with racial and ethnic disparities specifically among Hispanic children. The primary purpose of this study is to develop and implement a culturally appropriate healthy eating intervention called CASA (Comunidad, Alimentacion, Seguridad y Amen). Specific Aim (SA) 1. To develop a culturally appropriate healthy eating promotion intervention (the CASA) in collaboration with Hispanic churches and their congregants. SA2. To conduct the CASA intervention in eight churches (four churches in the intervention vs four in the control/attention group), and to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the intervention. SA3. To assess the impact of the CASA intervention on healthy food preparation (mothers) and intake of fruits and vegetables (child). The investigators will compare between the intervention group (16 mother-child dyads) versus the control/attention group (16 mother-child dyad) to see if the intervention is effective in improving diet quality and changing cooking behaviors. Participants will: 1. Participate in cooking workshops and one to one learning activities 2. Report on diet and physical activity 3. Will measure fruit and vegetable intake

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on healthy eating and cooking, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What data supports the effectiveness of the La CASA Program treatment for childhood obesity?

Research shows that family-based programs, like the La CASA Program, are effective in treating childhood obesity. Programs that involve families and focus on making healthy lifestyle changes have been successful in reducing obesity in children, especially when they include high attendance and self-regulation strategies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Healthy Eating Program for Childhood Obesity safe for children?

The Abriendo Caminos program, which is similar to the Healthy Eating Program, has been evaluated in children and found to improve eating behaviors without any reported safety concerns. This suggests that such programs are generally safe for children. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the La CASA Program treatment different from other treatments for childhood obesity?

The La CASA Program is unique because it focuses on a culturally tailored, community-based approach to promote healthy eating and lifestyle changes among children and their families, unlike other treatments that may not consider cultural and community aspects. ^{6 7 9 11 12}

Research Team

Martha Rojo, PhD

Principal Investigator

UAMS

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Hispanic children with obesity and their mothers. Participants will be from churches involved in the study, willing to attend cooking workshops, and report on diet and physical activity. They must not have conditions that exclude them as per the trial's specific criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

Living in the United States for at least one year

I have a child aged 7 to 12.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot read or write in English or Spanish.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group receive seven healthy eating modules delivered by Community Health Workers in the home setting, plus two to three cooking demonstrations in the church setting.

14 weeks

Bi-weekly home visits, 2-3 church workshops

Control

Participants in the control group receive seven bi-weekly messaging videos via Facebook/WhatsApp.

12 weeks

7 video messages

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in diet quality and dietary behaviors using questionnaires and Veggie Meter measures.

8 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• La CASA (Comunidad, Alimentación, Seguridad y Amén) Program

Trial Overview The CASA program aims to promote healthy eating among Hispanic families by providing culturally tailored interventions through churches. The effectiveness of this program on improving diet quality and changing cooking behaviors will be assessed in a comparison between an intervention group and a control group.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Seven healthy eating modules, delivered by Community Health Workers (CHW) in the home setting, for 14 weeks. Plus two to three cooking demonstration in the church setting.

Group II: Control/Attention Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Five video recordings via Facebook/WhatsApp for three months. Video topics: * Mental Health * Cord Blood Banking * Dental Care * Immunizations * Behavioral Problems in Children

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arkansas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

500

Recruited

153,000+

Findings from Research

School-based interventions can lead to long-term positive health behavior changes in children, as they spend a significant amount of time in school, although their impact on weight measures is less clear due to common limitations.

Family-based interventions are effective in influencing children's behaviors, but issues like selection bias and high dropout rates can affect the reliability of their results; thus, a multidisciplinary approach that includes both school and family involvement is recommended for managing childhood obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlling childhood obesity: A systematic review on strategies and challenges. Kelishadi, R., Azizi-Soleiman, F.[2022]

The introduction of a Bilingual Case Manager in a pediatric weight management clinic significantly increased enrollment of Hispanic families, boosting participation over ten-fold.

Outcomes for Hispanic families in the program were equal to or better than those of other racial/ethnic groups, highlighting the effectiveness of a family-centered and culturally sensitive approach in obesity treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting a tertiary-care pediatric weight management clinic to better reach Spanish-speaking families. Guzman, A., Irby, MB., Pulgar, C., et al.[2021]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 72 obese children, family-based behavioral treatment (FBBT) showed no significant difference in BMI reduction compared to a waiting-list control group, indicating that both groups experienced similar improvements in weight.

The treatment group did report significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and improvements in quality of life and eating attitudes, with no adverse effects noted, suggesting that while FBBT may not lead to greater weight loss, it can have positive health impacts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-based behavioural treatment of childhood obesity in a UK National Health Service setting: randomized controlled trial. Croker, H., Viner, RM., Nicholls, D., et al.[2022]

In a study of 75 participants in the Building Healthy Families program, those who achieved the largest reductions in BMI z-scores had high attendance and self-regulation skills, particularly among both children and mothers.

Successful outcomes were linked to mothers achieving clinically meaningful weight loss and children maintaining high attendance rates, suggesting that both parental involvement and self-regulation are crucial for effective obesity treatment in families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Program and Participant Factors That Explain Success in a Micropolitan Pediatric Weight Management Intervention. Golden, CA., Heelan, KA., Hill, JL., et al.[2022]

References

1. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlling childhood obesity: A systematic review on strategies and challenges. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting a tertiary-care pediatric weight management clinic to better reach Spanish-speaking families. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family-based behavioural treatment of childhood obesity in a UK National Health Service setting: randomized controlled trial. [2022]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Designing and implementing an effective pediatric weight management program. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Program and Participant Factors That Explain Success in a Micropolitan Pediatric Weight Management Intervention. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation and Evaluation of the Abriendo Caminos Program: A Randomized Control Trial Intervention for Hispanic Children and Families. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Cooking and Active Leisure" TAS Program, Spain: a Program Impact Pathways (PIP) analysis. [2017]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing Obesogenic Eating Behaviors in Hispanic Children through a Family-Based, Culturally-Tailored RCT: Abriendo Caminos. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Follow-up of a healthy lifestyle education program (the Educació en Alimentació Study): 2 years after cessation of intervention. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exposure to a comprehensive school intervention increases vegetable consumption. [2022]

11. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Study and promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity among Spanish adolescents: TAS program (you and Alicia for health)]. [2018]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of Eating Habits and Physical Activity among Spanish Adolescents. The "Cooking and Active Leisure" TAS Program. [2022]