Optimizing childhood obesity prevention programs using an engineering-inspired framework
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Combating childhood obesity requires multilevel, multicomponent approaches. A reviewTypically, childhood obesity prevention programs are tested in a classic randomized controlled trial (RCT), such that, all of the possible components are tested at once, and the intervention is deemed effective or efficacious if the intervention group exhibited better outcomes than the control or comparison group. If the intervention is not deemed efficacious, a new RCT is developed, with new or different combinations of components, and the process is repeated. What we do not know at the end of the RCT, however, is MOST is used to optimize interventions in several steps (Flow chart of the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework as described by CollinsThis article describes the design of the Healthy Bodies Project, an optimization trial of a childhood obesity preventive intervention constructed using MOST. We describe the candidate components and the study design that were used as part of the optimization phase, along with study outcomes and measures. The goal was to select components with detectable effects on our key outcomes, in order to build a highly efficacious (i.e. results in significant behavioral changes) and highly efficient (i.e. includes only successful components) behavioral intervention to prevent childhood obesity.