Online Program

275314
Impact evaluation of the enabling mothers to prevent pediatric obesity through web-based education and reciprocal determinism (EMPOWER) intervention


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Adam Knowlden, CHES, MBA, MS, Ph.D., Department of Health Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Manoj Sharma, PhD, Health Promotion & Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Randall Cottrell, DEd, MCHES, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Sevices, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Brad Wilson, PhD, Health Promotion and Education, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Marcus Johnson, PhD, Developmental and Learning Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the EMPOWER intervention; a Web-based, social cognitive theory (SCT) driven, mother-centered program for prevention of pediatric obesity. The eight-week trial utilized a randomized experimental design to test the efficacy of the intervention. Statistically, a repeated measures one-between, one-within subjects design was employed. The treatments were delivered to two cohorts randomly assigned to receive either the EMPOWER (experimental) or Healthy Lifestyles Program (control) protocol (n = 50; α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.80, ρ = 0.20). The primary independent variable under investigation was the intervention assignment. This was a fixed, categorical variable with two levels: EMPOWER intervention and Healthy Lifestyles intervention. The second independent variable in the study was time (within-subjects effect). This was also be a fixed, categorical variable with three levels: (1) baseline; (2) post-intervention (4 weeks); and (3) one-month, post-intervention follow-up (8 weeks from baseline). Key study dependent variables included four protective child behaviors (physical activity behavior, fruit and vegetable consumption behavior, sugar-free beverage consumption behavior, and screen time behavior) and maternal-mediated constructs of SCT (environment, emotional coping, expectations, self-control, and self-efficacy). Dependent variables were tested using multivariate and univariate analysis of variance tests. Significant maternal-mediated SCT predictors were regressed on protective child behaviors at pretest to posttest, posttest to follow-up, and pretest to follow-up. The home and family environment is an influential antecedent of pediatric obesity. Social cognitive theory is a useful framework for modifying family and home-based determinants of pediatric obesity.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between pediatric obesity and the family and home environment. Identify the primary barriers confronting family and home based interventions for pediatric obesity. Design a social cognitive theory-based educational intervention that will promote child physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, sugar-free beverage consumption, and reduced screen time.

Keyword(s): Obesity, Pediatrics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted the literature review, developed the instrument, conceptualized the study, collected the data, and analyzed the data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.