Using technology to help families build healthier habits for children's heart health in pediatric clinics
Testing Technology-Based Implementation Strategies for a Family-Based Pediatric Health Behavior Intervention in Community-Based Primary Care: A Cluster Randomized Factorial Trial
This project uses digital tools and clinic-based supports to help families of children with elevated BMI improve eating, activity, and emotional health in pediatric primary care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193791 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a parent's viewpoint, the team works with pediatric clinics to offer the Family Check-Up 4 Health program to families of children about 5.5 to 13 years old with higher-than-average BMI. Clinics are testing different technology-based ways to deliver the program (for example, digital tools, reminders, or staff supports) across clinic sites using a cluster randomized factorial design. An earlier randomized trial with 240 mostly Mexican American, low-income families showed improvements in child and family health behaviors, social-emotional health, and modest changes in child BMI. This effort focuses on making it easier for community pediatric clinics to adopt the program so more families can access the help.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families with children roughly 5.5 to 13 years old who have an elevated BMI (at or above the 85th percentile) and receive care at participating pediatric primary care clinics.
Not a fit: Children without elevated BMI, adults, or families who do not receive care at participating clinics are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more families could get accessible, clinic-based and tech-supported help to improve children's diet, activity, emotional well-being, and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have performed: Yes — a prior randomized trial of Family Check-Up 4 Health with 240 primarily Mexican American, low-income families produced positive changes in family and child behaviors and in child BMI.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berkel, Cady — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Berkel, Cady
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.