142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Technology-centered childhood obesity prevention for mothers with young children

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Angela Sun, PhD, MPH , Asian Alliance for Health (AAFH); Chinese Community Health Resource Center (CCHRC), San Francisco, CA
Jyu-Lin Chen, RN, PhD, CNS , Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Joyce Cheng, MS , Asian Alliance for Health (AAFH) and Chinese Community Health Resource Center (CCHRC), San Francisco, CA
Yvonne Liang, RD , Chinese Community Health Resource Center (CCHRC), San Francisco, CA
Terence Ng, BS , Family Health Care Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Christy Yao, BS , Chinese Community Health Resource Center (CCHRC), San Francisco, CA
Background: About 17% of Chinese American preschool children are obese compared to 12.4% of all preschool children residing in the US and the prevalence is expected to increase. Children of low-income, low acculturation and overweight Chinese mothers are at a high risk for obesity. 

Purpose: To develop a culturally sensitive and evidenced-based technology-centered program to prevent obesity in mothers and their preschool-age children.

Methods: Focus group interviews with target population were conducted to understand their perceptions of health, familiarity with technology, and validate format and content developed for weight management intervention. A randomized control study is used to examine feasibility of the intervention.  Participants will be randomized into intervention (N=15) or control group (N=15).  The intervention is delivered via tablet computer which includes 8 weekly sessions based on NIH WE CAN program. Outcomes include maternal self-efficacy, eating behaviors, physical activity, and child-feeding practices and change in BMI. For children include changes in vegetable and fruit intake, physical activity, sedentary activity, and sugary drink consumption. These outcomes are assessed at pre, post and 3-month post intervention.

Results: The intervention material and delivery medium were tested among 8 participants from the targeted population. Data revealed that the technology-based program is attractive and participants favor the use of tablet computer.  Several themes identified as key to success of the intervention were:  the use of Chinese characteristics, favor professional figure to present information, and sample culturally appropriate menu for healthy alternatives.  The outcomes of the intervention feasibility will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions:  Focus group findings suggested that tablet is a favorable device to learn new information and all participants were able to use the tablet. The feasibility will fill the gaps in knowledge by addressing childhood obesity for low-income Chinese American mothers with preschool-age children using mobile technology.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify at least three factors in cultural adaption of an intervention for Chinese Americans. Name three factors in adapting technology-based intervention to deliver health messages among target population.

Keyword(s): Child Health, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working with the Asian American community for over two decades. Furthermore, I have been a principal and co-principal investigator of several federally and foundation funded grants focusing on Asian American health issues.
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.