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A Community-Based Short Message Service Intervention to Improve Mothers' Feeding Practices for Obesity Prevention:
Hong Jiang1,2, Mu Li3,4, Li Ming Wen3,5
1School of Public Health, Global Health Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Mobile phone text message (SMS) interventions did not significantly reduce childhood obesity rates in Shanghai. Early introduction of solid foods and bottle-feeding at bedtime were linked to higher childhood BMI. Further research is needed to explore effective obesity prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern in China.
- Evaluating mobile phone-based interventions, like SMS, is crucial for preventing early childhood obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a Short Message Service (SMS) intervention in preventing obesity among young children in Shanghai, China.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design involving 4 community health centers (CHCs) in Shanghai.
- Intervention group mothers received weekly SMS messages on infant feeding from the third trimester to 12 months postpartum.
- Primary outcomes included children's body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and weight-for-length z-score at 12 and 24 months.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in BMI, BMI z-score, or weight-for-length z-score were observed between intervention and control groups at 12 and 24 months.
- Higher birth weight, early introduction of solid foods (before 4 months), and bottle-feeding at bedtime at 12 months were associated with increased BMI at 24 months.
Conclusions:
- The SMS intervention showed no significant impact on preventing childhood obesity in this study.
- Early feeding practices and bedtime habits are critical factors influencing childhood BMI.
- More robust study designs are recommended to evaluate the efficacy of SMS interventions for early childhood obesity prevention.
Background:
The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in China, and the effect of mobile phone short message service (SMS) interventions to prevent early childhood obesity needs to be evaluated.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an SMS intervention on the prevention of obesity in young children.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental design SMS intervention was carried out in 4 community health centers (CHCs) in Shanghai, China. A total of 2 CHCs were assigned to the intervention group, and 2 CHCs were assigned to the control group. Mothers in the intervention group received weekly SMS messages on breastfeeding and infant feeding from the third trimester to 12 months postpartum. The primary outcomes were children's body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and weight-for-length z-score at 12 and 24 months. Factors associated with higher BMI and weight-for-length z-score at 24 months were also assessed.
Results:
A total of 582 expectant mothers were recruited at the beginning of the third gestational trimester. 477 (82.0%) and 467 (80.2%) mothers and their children were followed up to 12 and 24 months postpartum, respectively. There were no significant differences in children's BMI, BMI z-score, and weight-for-length z-score at 12 and 24 months between the 2 groups. Factors associated with higher BMI, BMI z-score, and weight-for-length z-score at 24 months included higher birth weight, introduction of solid foods before 4 months, and taking a bottle to bed at 12 months.
Conclusions:
The SMS intervention did not show a significant effect on children's BMI, BMI z-score, or weight-for-length z-score at 12 and 24 months. Introduction of solid foods before 4 months and taking a bottle to bed at 12 months were significantly and positively correlated with a higher BMI, BMI z-score, and weight-for-length z-score at 24 months. Further studies with more rigorous design are needed to evaluate the effect of SMS interventions on preventing early childhood obesity.
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