'eatNplay'- a family-based, telehealth intervention for childhood obesity: A randomized newsletter-controlled pilot...

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern in the United States. Telehealth interventions are a strategy to instill healthy lifestyle choices among children and their guardians by introducing and reinforcing healthy behaviors.

Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a telehealth intervention using motivational interviewing focusing on healthy behaviors in children.

Using a family-based, randomized, controlled, crossover trial design, 42 families with children aged 5-11 years were randomly assigned to an intervention group or newsletter control group. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group was assigned the intervention condition for four weeks (Phase-1, from the beginning of the study through 4 weeks), followed by a two-week washout period, then assigned to the newsletter control condition (Phase-2, from week 7 until the end of week 10.) The intervention consisted of weekly 'eatNplay' group telehealth sessions, conducted by a registered nurse and a motivational interviewing expert, to discuss diet, physical activity, screentime, and sleep.

Participants' mean age was 8.8 ± 1.8; 54% were female. Engagement scores and attendance were consistently high throughout the study. Dietary, activity, and sleep outcomes were compared to American Pediatrics Association recommendations for the age group.

A telehealth intervention using motivational interviewing to address healthy behaviors in children was well received by participating families. This pilot study helped guide a planned future study that may be longer. Data from dietary intake, activity, and sleep are valuable to guide future studies.