Building Healthy Families Program for Childhood Obesity

This trial aims to address childhood obesity in rural areas through a program called Building Healthy Families (BHF). The trial will compare two approaches: one where communities use a package of BHF resources and another where they receive additional guidance through virtual sessions. The goal is to determine which method more effectively helps communities implement and sustain the program. Families may qualify if they have a child aged 5-13 with a BMI over the 85th percentile, and a parent or caregiver can attend sessions with the child. As an unphased trial, this study provides families the opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for childhood obesity in their communities.

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

Research has shown that the Building Healthy Families (BHF) Program is safe and effective for families. In past studies, both children and their parents or guardians lost significant weight over 12 weeks, with no negative effects reported. Specifically, children lost more than 5% of their body weight, while parents or guardians lost about 7%.

Researchers are excited about the Building Healthy Families Program because it offers a fresh approach to tackling childhood obesity through community involvement and enhanced training. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on individual or clinical interventions, this program empowers local communities to implement health education and lifestyle changes through a comprehensive resources package. Furthermore, the Learning Collaborative arm introduces an innovative training strategy involving virtual sessions and personalized action meetings, which can potentially lead to more effective and sustainable health outcomes for families. This community-driven focus and personalized support set it apart from traditional methods, aiming to foster long-term healthy habits in children.

Research has shown that the Building Healthy Families (BHF) Program effectively manages childhood obesity. In past studies, children in the BHF Program lost about 4% of their body weight over 12 weeks, while their parents or guardians lost about 7%. This trial will compare two approaches: the BHF Program Resources Package Only (BHF-PO) and the Building Healthy Families Learning Collaborative (BHF-LC). The BHF Program focuses on improving eating habits and provides educational resources for better nutrition. These elements make it a promising choice for tackling childhood obesity, especially in rural areas where support may be limited.¹²⁶⁷⁸