506 - Family Health in Today’s World: Results of an innovative program to build nutrition skills

Poster Number: 506
Publication Number: 506.238

Margaret R. Mahoney, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States; Evan C. Sommer, VUMC, Nashville, TN, United States; Laura E. Adams, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Filoteia Popescu, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Millersville, TN, United States; Shari Barkin, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States

Background: Among families with children, the pandemic has worsened mental health, food security, and health behaviors like eating habits and physical activity. However, some family factors are protective, such as good family health, which can buffer stresses.

Objective: We adapted two previously tested behavioral interventions to explore how building healthy habits across two-generations impacts family health.

Design/Methods: Diverse parent-child dyads from middle TN were recruited into a randomized control trial. All families received an adapted version of the Teaching Kitchen Outreach (TKO) program that included 12 weekly healthy, low-cost recipes, cooking videos, and associated groceries. Families randomized to the intervention condition also received an adapted virtual version of the Healthier Families program that included 12 weekly 30-minute Zoom health coaching calls. Parents completed surveys via telephone or electronically at baseline and 12 weeks later, including maternal and child health behaviors, social determinants of health, and family health. The primary outcome was the validated Family Healthy Lifestyle Subscale (FHLS), consisting of 6 items on a Likert scale of 1–5 (score range 6–30). Paired t-tests compared means. The intervention’s effect on FHLS score was assessed after adjusting for covariates in a tobit regression model.

Results: 123 parent-child dyads enrolled in the study with an 89.4% retention rate. Analyzed participants (n=110) were 10.9% Hispanic, 50.0% Black, and 28.2% White; 26.4% had a high school education or less; 27.4% indicated food insecurity; and 37.3% were single parents. Grocery receipt across all families was 98%, and 85% of families reported making at least 6/11 recipes. 53% of intervention participants attended at least 5/12 health coach sessions. In pre-post comparisons, the cohort improved in both maternal nutrition (p < 0.001) and child nutrition (p < 0.05) with reductions in sugary drinks, snacks, and sweets. Mean FHLS scores significantly increased from baseline to follow up among all participants (25.5 vs. 27.3; p < 0.001) and within the control and intervention groups, separately. After adjusting for covariate relationships, the tobit regression model was unable to detect a significant intervention effect (0.7; 95% CI=[-0.7, 2.1]; p=0.3).Conclusion(s): On average, participants in the TKO program reported improved family health and maternal and child nutrition. No additional intervention effect was detected for virtual health coach sessions.
Margaret R Mahoney, Medical StudentCV_Mahoney.pdf
Table 2Tobit regression model for Family Healthy Lifestyle Subscale score