Project Detail

Project Description:

We propose to conduct a randomized clinical trial in which women and their preschool aged children are randomly assigned to receive either family-based behavioral counseling (FBC) sessions with play group physical activity sessions or group based nutrition education sessions with health activity worksheets to complete with their child. The FBC sessions will use photographs of the family's food practices, taken by mothers, as visual aids in the counseling sessions. The control intervention will consist of group sessions using curricula designed to motivate women to exercise and to promote the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations using traditional Mexican-American foods. The primary outcome of the trial is mother's BMI. The secondary outcomes are dietary intake, moderate to vigorous physical activity and household food supplies. We hypothesize that within a one year timeframe, women who are exposed to the FBC will have lower BMI's compared to women who receive the active placebo control intervention. The mechanisms through which we intend to change weight status are altering the type of foods purchased and methods of food preparation and promoting mothers to engage in physical activities with their children during their play. Measurements of secondary outcomes include three 24 hour dietary recalls, a household food inventory and activity monitoring using MTI actigraph monitors. Measurements will be collected within one month of completing the interventions and at six months follow-up.