Feasibility and Acceptability of the ‘Super Dads Super Kids’ Program for Improving Health Behaviors in Asian Indian Fathers and Children

Abstract

To examine implementation feasibility and acceptability of a web-based intervention to improve behavioral mediators in Asian Indian (AI) fathers and to influence behavior in AI fathers and their children. Research has shown that fathers, like mothers, impact children’s healthy eating behavior. There is a need to engage fathers in child nutrition through online programs targeting ethnicities including Asian Indians (AI). This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a culturally targeted web-based nutrition education program to improve health behaviors of AI fathers and their children. Research feasibility was demonstrated by baseline recruitment of 98 AI fathers, assuming 85% and 80% retention at post program and follow up. The 6-week website feasibility was examined by looking at the participant website usage (through Google Analytics), discussion forum/quiz engagement (participation in challenges/ lesson questions) and program satisfaction. Of 98 AI fathers, 85 (86%) completed post intervention and 78 (80%) completed follow up assessments. Mean participant visits and page views were high in the beginning and declined over time. Site visit/user averaged about 2 visits/week with a session duration of 7 minutes. 20 (20.4%) of the participants were active in the discussion forum, resulting in 29 comments. Quiz participation was satisfactory, decreasing over time (Range= 48-77). 82% of participants who completed the program (n=85) found the website lessons useful to understand healthy diet and physical activity behaviors for them and their child. 84.7% said they would recommend the program to friends and family. The participation rate of AI fathers and their satisfaction for the program was high. However, there was a decline in participant visits and page views over time. Future studies should look at ways to maintain participant engagement in web-based interventions.