Dietary intake in a randomized-controlled pilot of NOURISH: A parent intervention for overweight children

NOURISH is a community-based treatment program for parents of overweight and obese children (ages 6–11, BMI ≥ 85th percentile). This study examined the impact of NOURISH on child and parent dietary intake, secondary trial outcomes

Differences in Response to a Dietary Intervention Between the General Population and First-Degree Relatives of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Photograph of a scene on Sardis Lake

Recruiting Diverse Patients to a Breast Cancer Risk Communication Trial—Waiting Rooms Can Improve Access

Low participation among underserved populations in health research constrains progress in public health practices. From 2003 to 2005, Women’s Health Clinic patients at the VCU Health System were recruited to a trial investigating breast cancer risk communication. In secondary analyses, we examined dimensions of the recruitment of these diverse women. The sample characteristics (age, insurance, race and previous mammograms) were compared to the overall clinic. Of recruitment attempts for eligible women, 45% consented; of those who declined, the top cited reasons were lack of time (40%) and lack of interest (18%). Of 899 participants, 35% qualified for the indigent care program, compared to 31% of the overall clinic (P<0.001). Forty-five percent of participants were African American, compared to 54% of overall clinic patients (P<0.001). Participants were younger (50 vs. 53 years, P<0.001) than the overall clinic population. Nonrepresentative enrollment of patients in clinical trials is common and could lead to suboptimal applicability of findings. Although there were statistically significant race and age differences between the study sample and the overall population, we demonstrate that waiting room recruitment can engage diverse women in a clinical trial and cancer risk communication

Dietary intake in a randomized-controlled pilot of NOURISH: A parent intervention for overweight children

OBJECTIVE: NOURISH is a community-based treatment program for parents of overweight and obese children (ages 6–11, BMI ≥ 85th percentile). This study examined the impact of NOURISH on child and parent dietary intake, secondary trial outcomes. METHODS: In Virginia from 2008–2009, this randomized controlled pilot was implemented and dietary assessment of parents and children conducted at baseline, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Parents (85% female, 62% African American, mean BMI=34.1±9.1) were randomized into intervention (n=46) or control (n=50) groups. Children’s (mean age=8.6±1.5) mean BMI percentile was 98.1±2.6. Parents completed 24-hour dietary records for themselves and their child(ren). Repeated measures analyses assessed treatment effects over time. T-tests evaluated within-group changes from baseline to post-test and to follow-up, using a modified intent-to-treat approach. RESULTS: Both groups reported significant dietary changes, with few treatment effects found. For parents in NOURISH, significant improvements were found in intakes of total kilocalories/day, grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar, and percent calories from protein (p<0.05). Among control group children, significant improvements in total kilocalories/day and grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar were found (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among parents who self-select into a childhood obesity program, minimal intervention can elicit short-term dietary changes comparable to those of a structured intervention