Actively Recruiting
A Hybrid Mobile Phone Family Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2025-03-10
182
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
U
University of California, Merced
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a family-based childhood obesity intervention designed for Latino families with young children aged 2 to 5 years who are overweight or obese. The study aims to reduce ethnic disparities in childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk by combining proven in-person strategies with mobile phone technology, while incorporating important cultural factors such as familism and language. This prospective randomized controlled trial will compare the hybrid intervention against usual care provided by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The intervention group will participate in a 4-week program consisting of weekly in-person sessions coupled with four interactive text messages per week. This will be followed by 2 months of booster text messages to reinforce the content. The usual care group will continue receiving standard WIC services, which include monthly food vouchers, nutrition counseling twice a year, nutrition education, and referrals to family services. Approximately 260 families will be randomly assigned to either group, balancing for child weight status and caregiver family structure. Participants will be assessed at baseline, and then at 1, 6, and 12 months after baseline. Data collection includes measuring the child's body mass index (BMI), dietary intake, media viewing habits, physical activity patterns, and caregiver behaviors. Research assistants blinded to group assignment will collect data via surveys available in English and Spanish, at WIC centers or at home visits. The primary outcome is the change in child BMI over time, with secondary outcomes evaluating various health habits and family dynamics. Incentives will be provided to support participant retention throughout the study period, which extends to the end of 2026.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Family Intervention to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult caregivers of a young child who self-identify as Latino
- Caregiver has a 2- to 5-year-old child or grandchild who is overweight or obese (BMI above 85th percentile for age and sex)
- Caregiver lives with or cares for the child at least 20 hours per week
- Caregiver speaks Spanish or English
- Caregiver is able and willing to participate in the intervention
- Caregiver agrees to complete baseline, 1-, 6-, and 12-month post-intervention data collection
You will not qualify if you...
- Caregivers of a child with medical conditions related to overweight status such as Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Caregivers of a child taking weight loss medication
- Caregivers of a child currently participating in a weight loss program
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or home visit)
Duration - 4 weeks of in-person sessions plus 2 months of mobile phone booster messages
Participants in the intervention group participate in a family-based childhood obesity program including weekly 1-hour in-person sessions for 4 weeks combined with interactive mobile phone messages, followed by 2 months of mobile phone booster messages to reinforce the content.
Weekly in-person sessions for 4 weeks plus ongoing mobile phone messages
Duration - Up to 12 months post baseline
Participants continue to receive usual care through WIC services, and data is collected to monitor outcomes over time including BMI and behavioral changes.
Data collection visits at baseline, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months (in-person or home visits)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Head Start
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90670
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Alma D Guerrero, MD, MPH
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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