Randomized Trial of iAmHealthy Family Program and Clinic Support to Treat Pediatric Obesity in Rural Children Ages 6 to 11

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial to study pediatric obesity among children living in rural areas, where obesity rates are higher than in urban settings. This trial evaluates two interventions one at the clinic level called the Healthy Clinic intervention, which aims to improve how clinics treat children with overweight or obesity by using provider prompts, skills training, and tools and another at the individual patient level, comparing a rurally tailored behavioral program called iAmHealthy to a monthly newsletter control. The study focuses on underserved rural children and families and aims to address modifiable risk factors for cancer related to obesity. The iAmHealthy program is a family-based behavioral group intervention offering 26 contact hours over six months, including weekly one-hour group meetings for the first three months, monthly meetings for the next three months, and biweekly individual health coaching sessions lasting about 30 minutes. Families assigned to the control group receive the American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children Newsletter monthly for six months. The clinic-level intervention is implemented as a quality improvement program at the site level, not directly involving participants. Participants in this study include children aged 6 to 11 years with a BMI at or above the 85th percentile living in rural areas. Caregiverchild pairs are assessed at baseline, six months, and annually up to four years. Researchers will track changes in child and caregiver body mass index, physical activity using multiple measures, dietary behavior, sleep, and satisfaction with the intervention and technology. Clinic performance will be monitored through chart audits every month for six months and then every six months for 3.5 years. The total participation period extends up to four years, with detailed follow-up assessments during this time.

iAmHealthy Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG)