The implementation of school-based obesity-prevention programs is understudied. Kids SIPsmartER is a 6-month, school-based, behavioral intervention for Appalachian middle school students and includes a teacher implementation strategy. Kids SIPsmartER effectively reduced students' sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) when Researcher-Led.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Under-represented subgroups in biomarker research linked to behavioral health trials may impact the promise of precision health. This mixed methods study examines biorepository donations across an Appalachian sample enrolled in a sugary drink reduction intervention trial.
Methods: Participants enrolled in the behavioral trial were asked to join an optional biomarker study and were tracked for enrollment and biospecimen returns (stool and/or buccal sample).
Kids SIPsmartER is a 6-month behavioral and health literacy intervention effective at reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake among middle school students and their caregivers in the rural Appalachian region. This exploratory mixed methods study utilized a convergent parallel design to assess participant acceptability of a school-based curriculum for students and a text messaging program for caregivers. Acceptability was assessed using surveys (873 students and 453 caregivers), five focus groups (34 students) and telephone interviews (22 caregivers).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study examined enrollment, retention, engagement, and behavior changes from a caregiver short message service (SMS) component of a larger school-based sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) reduction intervention. Over 22 weeks, caregivers of seventh graders in 10 Appalachian middle schools received a two-way SMS Baseline Assessment and four monthly follow-up assessments to report their and their child's SSB intake and select a personalized strategy topic. Between assessments, caregivers received two weekly one-way messages: one information or infographic message and one strategy message.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study investigates a 6-month short message service (SMS) intervention to reduce adolescent sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. The objectives are to describe caregiver retention and SMS engagement as well as explore differences by caregiver characteristics.
Methods: Caregivers completed a baseline survey then messages were sent two times per week.
Obesity increases risk of cancer onset and promulgates cancer mortality. Healthy Living Partnerships to Prevent Cancer (HELP PC) is an adapted intensive lifestyle intervention that is facilitated by community health workers (CHWs). The primary objective of this one-arm pilot study was to test the feasibility of evaluating HELP PC in a rural community by assessing participant recruitment, retention, and adherence to the intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is disproportionately high among rural Appalachian adults, with intakes double the national average and nearly four times the recommended amount. This trial targets this major dietary risk factor and addresses notable gaps in the rural digital health intervention literature. iSIPsmarter is a technology-based behavior and health literacy intervention aimed at improving SSB behaviors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Access to evidence- and family-based childhood obesity (FBCO) treatment interventions is a challenge, especially in underserved regions where childhood obesity disparities persist.
Objective: Compare two 6-month FBCO treatment interventions, iChoose (high intensity, parent-child dyads) and Family Connections (low intensity, parents only), in one underserved US region.
Methods: This unblinded, RCT reports on effectiveness and implementation outcomes.
Background: The objectives are to: 1) describe engagement processes used to prioritize and address regional comprehensive cancer control needs among a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) in the medically-underserved, rural Appalachian region, and 2) detail longitudinal CAB evaluation findings.
Methods: This three-year case study (2017-2020) used a convergent parallel, mixed-methods design. The approach was guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation process, and Nine Habits of Successful Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions.
There is need for the childhood obesity treatment literature to identify effective recruitment and engagement strategies for rural communities that are more likely to lack supportive infrastructure for healthy lifestyles and clinical research relative to their urban counterparts. This community case study examines recruitment and engagement strategies from a comparative effectiveness research (CER) trial of two family-based childhood obesity (FBCO) treatment interventions conducted in a medically underserved, rural region. Guided by a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and systems-based approach, the primary aim was to analyze interviews from academic partners, community partners, and parent study participants for recruitment and engagement assets, challenges, and lessons learned.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGuided by community-based participatory research principles, this mixed-methods process evaluation explored the experience and capacity of a newly formed Parental Advisory Team (PAT) engaged in childhood obesity research in a medically underserved region. Following the successful completion of a 3-month evidence-based childhood obesity treatment program (iChoose), 13 parents/caregivers who completed iChoose consented to participate in the PAT. Between June 2015 and March 2016, the PAT had nine monthly meetings and completed mixed-methods capacity assessments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) poses significant health concerns, particularly for rural adults and adolescents. A manner in which the health of both caregivers and adolescents can be improved is by developing innovative strategies that target caregivers as the agents of change. Sending text messages through mobile phones has been cited as an effective way to improve behavioral outcomes, although little research has been conducted in rural areas, particularly focusing on SSB intake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhile there is a large body of literature documenting the efficacy of family-based childhood obesity (FBCO) treatment interventions, there is little evidence that these interventions have been systematically translated into regular practice - particularly in health disparate regions. To address this research-practice gap, this project was guided by a community advisory board (CAB) and the RE-AIM planning and evaluation framework within a systems-based and community-based participatory research approach. Families with overweight or obese children between 5 and 12 years old, in the medically-underserved Dan River Region, were randomly assigned to one of two FBCO treatment programs (iChoose vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is disproportionately high in Appalachia, including among adolescents whose intake is more than double the national average and more than four times the recommended daily amount. Unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence for effective strategies targeting SSB behaviors among Appalachian youth in real-world settings, including rural schools. Kids SIPsmartER is a 6-month, school-based, behavior and health literacy program aimed at improving SSB behaviors among middle school students.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGuided by a community-based participatory research and systems-based approach, this 3-year mixed-methods case study describes the experiences and capacity development of a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) formed to adapt, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based childhood obesity treatment program in a medically underserved region. The CAB included community, public health, and clinical (n = 9) and academic partners (n = 9). CAB members completed capacity evaluations at 4 points.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Promot Perspect
April 2014
Background: Programs that focus on positive parenting have been shown to improve parental attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, and increase parent and child bonding. These programs are typically conducted in a closed group for-mat. However, when individual or community needs are more immediate, programmers sometimes opt for an open group format.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNumerous parent education programs have been developed to provide parents with the skills and support necessary to effectively improve their parenting abilities. The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) employs a "family skills training" approach for parents and their children (ages 6 to 10). This study focuses on the implementation and outcomes of a culturally adapted SFP in southwestern Virginia, an area known for its Appalachian culture.
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