Digital Technology for Childhood Obesity

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Victoria

Disqualifiers: Below 85th percentile BMI, Non-English speakers, Physical activity limitations

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

Duration: 10 weeks

270 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The project will evaluate the short- and long-term effects of a 10-week Family Healthy Living Program (FHLP). The program is designed for families with children ages 8-12 years old who are at risk for being above a healthy weight and who would like support with healthy living habits such as physical activity and healthy eating. Families will participate together, with both parents and children being involved in the program. FHLP participants will receive 9 weekly 2-hour online group sessions with a facilitation team as well as additional web-based resources. They will be compared to a control group of participating families who will be offered only the self-guided web-based resources. This will help us see the impact of offering facilitated FHLP group sessions versus only offering resources online. The FHLP is 10 weeks long, but participants will be followed for 12 months in total so that researchers can look at the long-term impact of participation. All participating families from both groups will be asked to complete surveys and provide child height and weight measurements at four timepoints: before beginning the program, immediately after completing the program, at 6-months post-program, and at 12-months post-program. Children will also be given FitBit activity watches to measure their daily step counts at each timepoint. Researchers will compare survey responses, child growth patterns, and FitBit step counts between the FHLP participants and the control group to see whether participating in the FHLP helps families improve their healthy living habits more than only offering a similar curriculum of healthy living resources online for families to access on their own.

Research Team

Sam Liu

Principal Investigator

University of Victoria

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for families with children aged 8-12 who are above a healthy weight and want to improve their lifestyle. Families must be willing to participate in online sessions or use web resources, complete surveys, and track child growth over a year.

Inclusion Criteria

My child's BMI is in the top 15% for their age and sex.

I am between 8-12 years old and my caregiver agrees to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot speak, read, or write in English.

My child cannot be physically active due to health issues.

My child's BMI is below the 85th percentile.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 10-week Family Healthy Living Program (FHLP) with 9 weekly 2-hour online group sessions and additional web-based resources

10 weeks

9 online group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term impact with surveys and measurements at 6-month and 12-month post-program

12 months

4 assessments (baseline, post-program, 6-month, 12-month)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Family Healthy Living Program weekly group sessions
• Self-guided Web Portal Resources Only

Trial Overview The study tests the Family Healthy Living Program (FHLP), which includes weekly online group sessions on healthy living versus just using self-guided web resources. The impact of FHLP will be measured through surveys, child measurements, and FitBit step counts over 12 months.

Participant Groups

Group I: Self-Guided Web Only Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Family Healthy Living Program Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Victoria

Lead Sponsor

Trials

59

Recruited

12,000+