title: Randomized trial of a family-based, automated, conversational obesity treatment program for underserved populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a scalable obesity treatment program integrated with pediatric primary care (PC) and delivered using interactive voice technology (IVR) to families from underserved populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty parent-child dyads (child 9-12 yrs, BMI > 95th percentile) were recruited from a pediatric PC clinic and randomized to either an IVR or a wait-list control (WLC) group. The majority were lower-income, African-American (72%) families. Dyads received IVR calls for 12 weeks. Call content was informed by two evidence-based interventions. Anthropometric and behavioral variables were assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three dyads completed the study. IVR parents ate one cup more fruit than WLC (P < 0.05). No other group differences were found. Children classified as high users of the IVR decreased weight, BMI, and BMI z-score compared to low users ( P < 0.05). Mean number of calls for parents and children were 9.1 (5.2 SD) and 9.0 (5.7 SD), respectively. Of those who made calls, >75% agreed that the calls were useful, made for people like them, credible, and helped them eat healthy foods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An obesity treatment program delivered via IVR may be an acceptable and feasible resource for families from underserved populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise & Health Sciences College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA; Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Newby
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013672:Technology; D013689:Telephone; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs