School-based secondary prevention of overweight and obesity among 8- to 12-year old children: Design and sample characteristics of the SNAPSHOT trial

Abstract

Rising levels of severe obesity among children, worsening disparities by race and ethnicity and reluctance of primary care clinicians' to provide obesity management to children are compelling reasons to consider alternatives to primary care management of childhood obesity. The Students Nurses and Parents Seeking Healthy Options Together (SNAPSHOT) trial will test the efficacy of an elementary school-based, school nurse-led, healthy weight management program to reduce excess weight gain among children, 8- to 12-years old with a body mass index (BMI) ≥75th percentile, by increasing healthy dietary practices and physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviors. SNAPSHOT has enrolled and randomized 132 child/parent dyads to either the: (1) 9-month SNAPSHOT intervention that includes four home visits, 14 kid groups held during out-of-school time and five parent groups or (2) a newsletter program consisting of monthly mailings and family-focused healthy lifestyle information. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, 12-months (post intervention) and 24-months (follow-up) post randomization. The primary outcome is child age- and gender-adjusted BMI z-score. Secondary outcomes include child dietary intake assessed with 24-h dietary recall interviews and accelerometer-measured activity levels. The SNAPSHOT intervention is a model of secondary obesity prevention for children that addresses the urgent need for theory-informed, evidence-based and safe weight management programs, delivered by skilled health professionals in accessible settings. This report describes development of the SNAPSHOT trial, including recruitment and randomization procedures, assessments, intervention and implementation plans, and baseline characteristics of the study sample.