The childhood obesity (CO) rate of Latinos/Hispanics, the fastest growing rural population group, is 60% higher than their non-Hispanic neighbors. Family-based childhood obesity (FBCO) interventions targeting parents have shown promising results for reducing weight among children. However, these interventions are developed and evaluated with culturally homogeneous samples of participants in large urban areas and have been poorly accessed by Latino/Hispanic families living in rural communities. There are a number of barriers to accessing these interventions in rural Nebraska communities including increasing ethnic health disparities, limited available resources, shortage of available health professionals, and the existence of demographically and geographically segregated communities. Community members have reported that family and work responsibilities, lack of public transportation, and language and cultural relevance have kept them from engaging in these programs. Interactive technologies may provide a possible solution to these challenges in that they offer an avenue for the delivery of FBCO interventions at times and places convenient to participants.
Investigators have found that a technology-assisted FBCO intervention can lead to significant weight loss among children and that over 82% of Latinos/Hispanics in studies have mobile devices regularly used to access information and make phone calls. Thus, telephone systems that provide automated (i.e., interactive voice response (IVR) system) FBCO messages may be practical methods for delivering culturally appropriate health information and engaging Latino/Hispanic families in rural communities. Family Connections (FC) is a scalable intervention that uses IVR to deliver FBCO content; however, it was not specifically developed for Latino/Hispanic rural families.
This study will build on investigators' experience in the use of interactive technologies to deliver FBCO content and promote healthy behaviors and weight control, culturally adapting interventions and working collaboratively with stakeholders in a variety of settings. The first aim is to culturally adapt a relevant and acceptable technology-delivered FBCO intervention. A mixed-methods approach will be used that includes a community workgroup facilitated by our rural partner organizations in Nebraska and a using structured community input adaptation process. The next study aim will follow-up to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of this intervention with Latino/Hispanic rural families in Nebraska. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a technology-delivered Family Connections (FC) group or a waitlist standard-care (SC) group. Both groups will receive a workbook. The FC group will additionally receive two in-person group sessions followed by 10 IVR calls over a period of 12 months. The two groups will be compared to determine program effectiveness in reducing child BMI z-scores, diet, physical activity, health literacy, and quality of life.
