A Digital Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Adolescent Health
• Diabetes Prevention

Background:

• Hispanic youth face disproportionately high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
• There is a significant gap in digital T2D prevention programs tailored for Hispanic adolescents.
• Digital interventions can improve accessibility and engagement in disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the protocol for assessing the feasibility of a 12-week digital diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents with obesity.
• To evaluate recruitment, retention, protocol integrity, technical issues, and participant satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 40 Hispanic adolescents (aged 12-16) with obesity.
• Intervention group receives e-learning, a Fitbit, and SMS text messages; control group receives standard guidelines.
• Feasibility assessed by recruitment, retention (80%), protocol adherence (70% content, 5-day Fitbit, 80% SMS response), technical issues (<10%), and satisfaction (>80%).

Main Results:

• Intervention implementation is ongoing with 35 of 40 participants enrolled.
• Study findings on feasibility criteria and secondary outcomes will be available by December 2026.
• Current enrollment indicates progress towards the recruitment goal.

Conclusions:

• Feasibility and process evaluation data will offer insights into digital T2D prevention for Hispanic youth.
• Findings will guide the development of future digital health interventions for high-risk pediatric populations.
• This study addresses a critical need for accessible T2D prevention strategies in underserved adolescent communities.