JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Family-based behavioral therapy is an efficacious approach to deliver weight management counseling to children and their parents. However, most families do not have access to in-person evidence-based treatment. SafeCare is a parent support program that focuses on parent-child interactions and is predominantly delivered in the home but is also offered to parents via video chat and telephone. Telehealth delivery via mobile health (mHealth) platforms and other digital tools can improve cost-effectiveness, deliver care over the long-term, and directly support both the family and care providers.

Objective:

To examine preliminary acceptability and effectiveness of a pediatric weight management program utilizing digital tools among children, parents, and providers.

Methods:

Study 1 was a 13-week pilot study of a remotely delivered mobile health (mHealth) family-based weight management program. Satisfaction surveys were administered, and height and weight were measured pre/post. Study 2 was a feasibility/acceptability survey administered to SafeCare providers.

Results:

Parental (mean: 4.9 of 6.0) and child satisfaction (mean: 3.8 of 5.0) were high, and children’s BMIz (n=10) significantly decreased (mean ± SD: -0.14 ± 0.17, P = .025). Over 90% of SafeCare providers (n=74) indicated that SafeCare families would benefit from learning how to eat healthily and be more active, and 80% of providers reported that they and the families would benefit from digital tools to support child weight management.

Conclusions:

Pediatric mHealth weight management interventions show promise for effectiveness and acceptability by families and providers. Clinical Trial: Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT03297541