TIME FOR TRANSDISCIPLINARY GROUP AND FAMILY HEALTH PROTECTION EDUCATION

Purposes/Aims:  This project provides a template for a turn-key multi-component, evidenced-based, cost effective, scalable, and efficacious method to enhance overall wellbeing and reduce disease risk in busy families with adolescents living in rural and urban obesogenic environments.  This project addresses gaps in the literature and barriers to wellness in working class, low, and middle-income households with unequal access to health education.  Rationale/Background: Chronic illness and obesity has increased across all age groups necessitating evidence-based prevention, intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In working families, time constraints limit meal planning and preparation time, physical activity, and health knowledge acquisition. Families also report limited access to and/or inability to afford healthy foods or family health club memberships. Many providers report not having time, resources and transdisciplinary providers necessary for health education/promotion and primarily focus on reimbursable illness care. Process: This project evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a theory-based, 14-week, transdisciplinary, multi-component health screening/promotion program designed to improve health knowledge, focus on family lifestyle behaviors, and reduce current and future health risks. To control cost and time factors, the project was deployed using a shared-use facility and online hybrid format.  A convenience sample of fourteen adult-seventh grade student dyads with varying body mass indexes were enrolled. Program content was obtained from sources with evidence-supported outcomes involving hands on science experiments, video demonstrations, technology, math, and Spanish.  Dyads were given wristband pedometers, motivational website access and were invited to three evening sessions as well as local physical activities. Children received in-class instruction on physical activity, nutrition and mindfulness training including evaluation of food advertisements.  Adults were given a nutrition book describing the Standard American Diet and recipes for busy families. Weekly emails and family informational packets were distributed including adjunct nutrition and physical activity games to facilitate at-home family involvement and support.  Over two hundred data points were serially collected from the dyads. Outcomes: Several adult and child participants were overweight or obese. Some adults had undiagnosed hypertensive blood pressures requiring referral to primary care providers. Serial outcome measures included physical activity, fitness parameters, dietary intake, mindfulness as well as motivation and engagement indicators (in process).  Anecdotal reports revealed that some children were now eating breakfast and increasing activity.  Others reported the project was the stimulus needed to take action in their family’s health. Conclusions: This program addressed busy family lifestyles, provider time and access issues and lack of available health protection education and screenings.  Upon final analysis, physical, environmental and other qualitative data may demonstrate serial transformation in engagement, knowledge, skills, beliefs, and behaviors linked to long-term self-management and preventative behaviors. Early and equitable health care education access and delivery using this template would likely translate into inter-generational and long-term improved healthcare utilization and whole person health outcomes.