A family fitness program for Latino families on the U.S.–Mexico border
Promoting Physical Activity and Fitness Among Underserved Latino Families Living in U.S.-Mexico Border Regions
This study tests whether a 12-month family-centered physical activity program can help Latino parents and their 6–11 year-old children near the U.S.–Mexico border become more active and fit.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 290 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | San Diego State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Diego, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06596902 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cluster-randomized intervention enrolls 290 parent–child dyads across 8 community recreation centers in San Diego, California and Mexicali, Baja California, randomizing centers to either standard recreation classes or the 12-month Athletes for Life (AFL) family-centered behavioral program with a 1-year active sustainability phase. The AFL program is delivered by study staff and targets habitual physical activity and fitness through multilevel, family-focused sessions held at community centers. Researchers will measure physical activity, fitness, and implementation outcomes such as acceptability and feasibility for families and center staff. The design compares intervention centers to control centers to test whether the program leads to sustained increases in activity and improved fitness among participating families.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are Latino parents aged 18 or older with a child aged 6–11 who live within about 5 miles of one of the participating community recreation centers in San Diego or Mexicali.
Not a fit: People who have medical or physical conditions that make exercise unsafe (for example, a negative PAR-Q screening) or who cannot attend center-based sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase regular physical activity and fitness in participating families and help reduce obesity and heart disease risk.
How similar studies have performed: Community- and family-based physical activity programs have shown modest success improving activity and fitness, though interventions explicitly designed for transnational border populations are less common.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * parents aged ≥18 years * children aged 6-11 years * living in the target community (within 5 miles of one of targeted community centers) Exclusion Criteria: * for the parent or child are presence of a medical or physical condition that is contraindicated to participating in sports/exercise (e.g., negative score on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)).
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California
- San Diego State University — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Noe C Crespo, MS, MPH, PhD — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Noe C Crespo, MS, MPH, PhD
- Email: ncrespo@sdsu.edu
- Phone: 619-594-2395
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.