Using Mobile Technology for Family-Based Prevention in Families with Low Incomes: Lessons from a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Web-based technologies are increasingly used for family-based prevention programs.
• Limited research exists on the effectiveness of these approaches for low-income families.
• Childhood obesity remains a significant public health concern, particularly in underserved populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess in-class and online engagement in a childhood obesity prevention program for low-income parents.
• To identify demographic factors associated with parent engagement.
• To examine the relationship between online program dosage and parental feeding outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 168 parents from a cluster randomized controlled trial of a mobile-based obesity prevention program.
• Participants also attended in-class nutrition education (Eating Smart · Being Active).
• Engagement measured by in-person attendance and online video access; outcomes assessed based on online exposure.

Main Results:

• High in-person attendance (70%) contrasted with lower online video access (47%).
• Demographic correlates: older parents and parents of girls had higher in-person attendance; employed parents had lower attendance.
• Online engagement varied by ethnicity and acculturation; significant outcomes required accessing at least half of the videos.

Conclusions:

• Mobile-based prevention programs show promise for low-income families, but online engagement can be a barrier.
• Tailoring digital content delivery and support may be crucial for maximizing program impact.
• Future research should explore strategies to enhance online participation in family-based interventions.