432 Participants Needed

Mentoring for Physical Activity in Overweight Children

LS
SS
Overseen BySandra Solove, MA
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Ohio State University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The innovative MPBA+F begins with peer-to-peer mentoring followed by structured parental/family support for long-term reinforcement of PA behaviors. Building and reinforcing skills, MPBA+F mitigates resource stressors and strengthens protective factors by providing culturally appropriate knowledge and skills to improve the sustainability of physical activity at home without the use of exercise equipment. By strengthening social support through peer and friendship networks and family-based support, MPBA+F responds to the unique needs of rural Appalachians in a culturally responsive way. This study targets physical activity among children with overweight, obesity, or extreme obesity because rural Appalachian communities identify sedentary activity as a key contributor to the high rates of obesity and diabetes risk among youth.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

Is mentoring for physical activity in overweight children safe?

The studies suggest that using mentors, such as parent or youth mentors, in interventions for childhood obesity is generally safe and well-accepted. There were no reports of adverse effects related to the mentoring approach in the studies reviewed.12345

How is the Mentoring to be Active plus Family treatment different from other treatments for overweight children?

The Mentoring to be Active plus Family treatment is unique because it combines mentoring with family involvement to encourage physical activity in overweight children, focusing on personalized support and family participation, which is not commonly emphasized in other treatments.56789

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mentoring to be Active plus Family, Mentored Planning to be Active+Family, MPBA+F for increasing physical activity in overweight children?

Research shows that mentoring, especially involving parents or youth mentors, can be a promising approach for encouraging behavior change in children, such as increasing physical activity. Studies have found that parent mentors are effective in engaging families in health interventions, and youth mentors have shown improvements in their own health behaviors, suggesting potential benefits for the children they mentor as well.23458

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for 7th graders in rural Appalachia with a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile, who aren't under care for obesity or type 1 diabetes. Participants need internet, a computer or tablet at home, and must not plan to move before the study ends. They should also read English at a 5th grade level and have a home address and phone number.

Inclusion Criteria

High school peer mentors recommended by a teacher, school advisor, or counselor
My child's BMI is in the 85th percentile or higher for their age and gender.
My child is starting 7th grade.
See 15 more

Exclusion Criteria

My child is not overweight or obese.
My child is not in the 7th grade at the start of this study.
High school peer mentors who cannot speak and read English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Peer Mentoring

Ten peer-mentoring sessions delivered virtually with a Project Leader, peer mentors, and mentees. Each session includes a content lesson, guided practice, social support, feedback, and personal goal-setting.

10 weeks
10 virtual sessions

Family Reinforcement

A guided, parent-directed 6-module program to support the child's home-based physical activity.

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in body composition and physical activity behaviors.

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Mentoring to be Active plus Family
Trial Overview The trial tests 'Mentoring to be Active plus Family' (MPBA+F), which combines peer mentoring with family support to encourage physical activity without exercise equipment. It aims to improve children's health by leveraging social networks and culturally tailored strategies.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Mentoring to be Active plus Family (MPBA+F)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Tracking Health and FitnessActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
891
Recruited
2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Parent mentors showed strong commitment and faced challenges in engaging other parents, but their nonjudgmental approach was appreciated, indicating a positive dynamic in mentoring for childhood obesity.
Parent mentees rated their mentors highly, similar to professional community health workers, suggesting that this peer-led intervention could be an effective and scalable strategy for promoting behavioral change in childhood obesity, particularly in Hispanic communities.
Factors Associated with Successful Mentoring of Parents Addressing Childhood Obesity: A Mixed Methods Approach.Villanueva, GA., Foster, BA.[2020]
A survey of pediatric weight management programs from 25 children's hospitals revealed that while all programs included physical activity assessment and counseling, there was significant variability in how these practices were implemented.
The FOCUS on a Fitter Future group recommends essential components for effective pediatric weight management programs, including exercise testing, body composition assessment, and both individual and group exercise counseling.
Physical Activity in Clinical Pediatric Weight Management Programs: Current Practices and Recommendations.Kist, C., Gier, A., Tucker, J., et al.[2017]
Physical activity interventions for overweight and obese children and adolescents often face challenges like modest success rates and high dropout, highlighting the need for well-designed programs to improve adherence and health benefits.
The paper outlines ten key lessons for effective physical activity interventions, including the importance of a fun and varied activity selection, parental involvement, and a multidisciplinary approach to address individual needs and barriers.
Top 10 practical lessons learned from physical activity interventions in overweight and obese children and adolescents.Alberga, AS., Medd, ER., Adamo, KB., et al.[2018]

Citations

Factors Associated with Successful Mentoring of Parents Addressing Childhood Obesity: A Mixed Methods Approach. [2020]
Physical Activity in Clinical Pediatric Weight Management Programs: Current Practices and Recommendations. [2017]
Top 10 practical lessons learned from physical activity interventions in overweight and obese children and adolescents. [2018]
A randomized clinical trial of the effects of parent mentors on early childhood obesity: Study design and baseline data. [2021]
Youth Mentor Dietary Outcomes and Waist Circumference Improvement: Camp NERF Study Findings. [2022]
Growing Healthy Together: A Randomized Clinical Trial Using Parent Mentors for Early Childhood Obesity in Low-Income, Latino Families. [2023]
Outcomes of a Family Based Pediatric Obesity Program - Preliminary Results. [2019]
Physical activity-key issues in treatment of childhood obesity. [2015]
Parents' Reports of Children's Physical and Sedentary Behavior Engagement among Parents in Weight Management. [2023]
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top
Terms of Service·Privacy Policy·Cookies·Security