A Coordinated Parent/Child Dyad Weight Loss Intervention: Dyad Plus (Feasibility)

The purpose of this research is to develop a coordinated program (Dyad Plus) that would help to facilitate self-monitoring, positive communication, joint problem solving, and social support to increase physical activity, healthy eating, and weight loss. Participants of the Brenner FIT (Families In Training) pediatric weight management program and their parent/guardian will co-enroll in weight loss programs. Parents/guardians will receive the components of By Design Essentials.

Participation in this study will involve participation in six, one-hour sessions in addition to those required by your weight loss program. These sessions will work to facilitate an increase in self-monitoring, positive communication, problem solving, and social support to increase healthy physical activity and eating behaviors to increase the effectiveness of the weight loss programs. Joint goal setting and tracking will be enabled by commercially available devices and apps. Each caregiver and child will receive an activity monitor, activity app, and a food app (digital food diary) that allows self-monitoring of consumption and "social accountability," which will allow caregivers and the Brenner FIT team to monitor and encourage. Furthermore, two home visits will be conducted to evaluation the home food and activity environments to inform tailored feedback to families. Brenner FIT is a family-based pediatric weight management clinic for youth 2-18 years old referred by a physician for overweight or obesity.11-14 By Design is an adult (>18yrs) weight loss clinic that includes tailored dietary and physical activity behavioral counseling. The preliminary data suggest that most adolescent youth who enroll in Brenner FIT have at least one adult caregiver who is eligible and would benefit from enrollment in By Design Essentials.

Adolescents will participate in the Dyad Plus program along with their caregivers. The Dyad plus program consist of the combination of two existing programs (Brenner FIT for adolescents and By Design for the adult caregivers) with a new, novel coordination component

Adult caregivers will participate in the Dyad Plus program along with their youth participants. The Dyad plus program consist of the combination of two existing programs (Brenner FIT for adolescents and By Design for the adult caregivers) with a new, novel coordination component

Brenner FIT pediatric weight management program enrollment. an interdisciplinary, family-based pediatric weight management clinic based upon the Familial Approach to Treatment of Childhood Obesity. Patients are referred by a physician for obesity or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity. Treatment teams are comprised of a pediatrician, counselor, dietitian, and physical activity specialist, with others (e.g., social workers, physical therapists) as needed. The entire family is encouraged to attend all aspects of the treatment program, although only one attending caregiver is required.

Weight loss program for adults/caregivers of those enrolled in Brenner FIT. Participants in the By Design condition (adult caregivers) will be prescribed the Essentials lifestyle intervention which includes tailored dietary and physical activity goals designed to achieve 1-2 lbs./week of weight loss, provided by a multidisciplinary team of medical providers, dietitians, behaviorists, and exercise specialists. A daily calorie restriction of 500 kcal/day is prescribed based on estimates of total energy expenditure (TEE) obtained from a measured resting metabolic rate (RMR) prior to enrollment.

This component adds four additional strategies: dyad group sessions, one-on-one parent/child communication sessions, joint goal setting/tracking, and home environment assessment. This innovative approach will seek to employ components of motivation and communication theories to increase self-monitoring, positive communication, problem solving, and social support to increase healthy physical activity and eating behaviors to increase the effectiveness of the weight loss programs beyond gains observed in matched controls. Essentials (adults), with four additional components: dyad group sessions, one-on-one parent/child communication sessions, joint goal setting/tracking, and home environment assessment

Weight status of caregivers and youth will be quantified through calculation of BMI derived from measurement of height and weight at the intake and follow-up visits. Both height (plus or minus 0.1 cm) and weight (plus or minus 0.5 kg) will be recorded twice and values will be averaged to produce the final value using a Tanita (registered trademark) digital scale and a Seca (registered trademark) Height Rod (respectively). BMI will be calculated as kg /m2. BMI z-score will be calculated using CDC growth charts.

Weight status of caregivers and youth will be quantified through calculation of BMI derived from measurement of height and weight at the intake and follow-up visits. Both height (plus or minus 0.1 cm) and weight (plus or minus 0.5 kg) will be recorded twice and values will be averaged to produce the final value using a Tanita (registered trademark) digital scale and a Seca (registered trademark) Height Rod (respectively). BMI will be calculated as kg /m2. BMI z-score will be calculated using CDC growth charts.

Weight status of caregivers and youth will be quantified through calculation of BMI derived from measurement of height and weight at the intake and follow-up visits. Both height (plus or minus 0.1 cm) and weight (plus or minus 0.5 kg) will be recorded twice and values will be averaged to produce the final value using a Tanita (registered trademark) digital scale and a Seca (registered trademark) Height Rod (respectively). BMI will be calculated as kg /m2. BMI z-score will be calculated using CDC growth charts.

Physical activity data will be collected using ActiGraph (trademark) accelerometers worn continuously over 7 days except during bathing and sleeping. Moderate to vigorous activity will be measured in minutes.

Physical activity data will be collected using ActiGraph (trademark) accelerometers worn continuously over 7 days except during bathing and sleeping. Moderate to vigorous activity will be measured in minutes.

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) will be given to assess physical activity. The PAQ-A ranges from 1-7. Higher score denotes better outcome.

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) will be given to assess physical activity. The PAQ-A ranges from 1-7. Higher score denotes better outcome.

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) will be given to assess physical activity in adults. The IPAQ ranges from 10-960 minutes/day of physical activity. Higher score denotes better outcome.

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) will be given to assess physical activity in adults. The IPAQ ranges from 10-960 minutes/day of physical activity. Higher score denotes better outcome.

Fasting blood glucose will be ascertained for each participant. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is optimal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes.

Fasting blood glucose will be ascertained for each participant. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is optimal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes.

Normal range for the hemoglobin A1c level is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4% Values greater denote diabetes.

Normal range for the hemoglobin A1c level is between 4% and 5.6%. Hemoglobin A1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4%. Values greater denote diabetes.

Clinical and non-clinical costs of the interventions will be compiled over the duration of the program. All cost will be reported in the same unit.

Inclusion Criteria: Eligible for enrollment in Brenner FIT and/or By Design Essentials Caregiver who lives in the house with a BMI > 30 No contraindication for physical activity or caloric restriction Must be able to read and write English Exclusion Criteria: Over the age of 65 BMI < 30 Contraindication for physical activity or caloric restriction Cannot read or write English

Skelton JA, Beech BM. Attrition in paediatric weight management: a review of the literature and new directions. Obes Rev. 2011 May;12(5):e273-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00803.x. Epub 2010 Sep 29.