Abstract
BackgroundObesity in young children remains a public health concern, and maternal weight is one of the strongest predictors of obesity in early childhood. However, parental adherence in interventions for young children is often low and existing programs have had mixed success. An innovative approach to treatment is needed that increases adherence among mothers and improves weight-related behaviors simultaneously in mothers and children. The objective of the Smart Moms randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to test the efficacy of a 6-month primarily smartphone-delivered program to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage and juice consumption among children ages 3–5 whose mothers are overweight or obese. This paper describes the study design and intervention.Methods/DesignMother-child dyads were eligible if the mother was overweight or obese, owned a smartphone, and if the child was between the ages of 3–5 and consumed 12 oz or more per day of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and 100 % fruit juice. Participants were randomly assigned to the Smart Moms intervention or a waitlist control group. The intervention consisted of theoretically grounded and evidence-based behavioral strategies delivered through one group session, lessons on a mobile-optimized website, and text messages. Mothers submitted self-monitoring information via text message and received regular tailored feedback emails from interventionists. The primary outcome is change in child SSB and juice consumption and a secondary outcome is change in maternal weight.DiscussionThis Smart Moms study was designed to determine if a low-burden intervention delivered using mobile methods and targeted towards mothers could be effective at changing child sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Results will indicate if mobile-based methods can be a feasible way to engage mothers in family-based studies and will inform successful strategies to prevent childhood obesity through parent-targeted approaches.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02098902 (Registered March 25, 2014).
Highlights
Obesity in young children remains a public health concern, and maternal weight is one of the strongest predictors of obesity in early childhood
This Smart Moms study was designed to determine if a low-burden intervention delivered using mobile methods and targeted towards mothers could be effective at changing child sugar-sweetened beverage intake
Results will indicate if mobile-based methods can be a feasible way to engage mothers in family-based studies and will inform successful strategies to prevent childhood obesity through parent-targeted approaches
Summary
Obesity in young children remains a public health concern, and maternal weight is one of the strongest predictors of obesity in early childhood. One in three low-income children are overweight by age 5 [1] and the majority of children who become overweight or obese reach overweight status before the age of 5 [2] This is concerning because excessive weight gain in early childhood is known to increase the risk of obesity and its health-related consequences throughout childhood and into adulthood. Maternal weight and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption as risk factors While there are many determinants of early childhood obesity, some of the strongest and most consistent predictors are maternal weight and weight-related behaviors [3, 4]. Intervening with overweight and obese mothers to make the home environment healthier and make dietary changes for themselves and their children could reduce the risk of the child becoming overweight
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