Testing a Web-Based Interactive Comic Tool to Decrease Obesity Risk Among Minority Preadolescents: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Technology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant public health issue, disproportionately affecting low-income, minority populations in the U.S.
• Technology-enhanced interventions offer potential for engaging at-risk youth and parents in improving dietary habits.
• Existing tools are limited, particularly those that are theory-based, user-centered, and tailored to specific demographics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Interactive Nutrition Comics (INC) Web-based tool.
• To explore the potential impact of INC on decreasing childhood obesity risk in Black/African American and Latino children aged 9-12.
• To evaluate a novel, theory-based intervention co-developed with the target population.

Main Methods:

• Intervention INC utilizes narrative transportation theory, social cognitive theory, and the health belief model.
• A pilot, single-blind, 2-group randomized controlled study enrolled 89 child-parent dyads.
• The intervention included interactive comics, goal-setting, and text/email reminders for children, and newsletters for parents.

Main Results:

• Study enrollment was completed in November 2017 with 89 child-parent dyads randomized.
• The experimental group received INC, while the comparison group received standard care.
• Data analysis is currently underway to evaluate usage, usability, feasibility, dietary changes, and anthropometric measures.

Conclusions:

• This study implements and assesses an innovative approach for delivering health messages to at-risk minority preadolescents and their parents.
• Findings will inform the potential for a larger randomized controlled trial to assess efficacy.
• The intervention aims to be acceptable, engaging, and feasible for improving dietary behaviors.