Mountain West Prevention Research Center Core Research Project
Mountain West Prevention Research Center Core Research Project
This hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation sequential multiple assignment randomized trial will assess the impact of integrating population health management (PHM) strategies-text messaging and enrollment in Building Healthy Families (BHF)-for lower-income families with a child with obesity identified through electronic health record (EHR) data. BHF promotes family healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle behavior strategies to manage weight. The research team will partner with clinical sites (community health clinics, pediatric clinics, rural hospitals) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Clinical partners will execute data-sharing agreements enabling the research team to identify eligible children and caregivers and conduct outreach via text messaging. CBO partners will deliver BHF and provide de-identified data for program evaluation. Community Implementation Teams (CITs) will complete training, surveys, interviews, learning collaborative activities, fidelity assessments, and time tracking as part of quality improvement. The BHF Action Learning Collaborative will use quarterly sessions and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to address recruitment, implementation, sustainability, social determinants of health, and team coordination. The research team will record sessions, conduct direct observations of BHF delivery, and take field notes to assess fidelity and adaptations. Families will be identified through EHR records and mailed a consent and authorization cover letter, postcard, QR code, and intervention information with opt-out options. Those who do not opt out will be randomized to bidirectional text messaging with one-touch response and enrollment opportunities, with or without active outreach (telephone or text) from the local CIT. Enrolled families will complete orientation, baseline assessment, and weekly group sessions with ongoing follow-up. Attendance, body weight, goals, and self-monitoring will be recorded in a CIT data portal. Families will be randomized to receive either simple text reminders or reminders with motivational and skill-building prompts matched to session topics. CITs will also connect families to food assistance programs and local resources. Each CIT will complete two cohorts over two years. The primary outcome is reach; secondary outcomes include session attendance, changes in child BMI-z scores, changes in parent or caregiver weight, and changes in adoption, implementation, and maintenance at the community level.
The researchers propose a hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (HEI-SMART) to determine the impact of integrating population health management (PHM) via text messaging and direct enrollment in Building Healthy Families (BHF) for lower-income families with a child aged 5-12 years with obesity identified through clinical partner (community health clinics, pediatric clinics, rural hospitals) electronic health record data. The sequential randomization design focuses on both initial recruitment (primary outcome) and retention in BHF sessions by randomly assigning enrolled families to text-only or text plus motivational retention messages.
BHF is a community-delivered evidence-based intervention to prevent and treat childhood obesity. The intervention educates families about healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy habits and facilitates goal setting and self-monitoring to improve lifestyle behaviors and manage weight. BHF includes a standard program evaluation conducted by community-based organizations (CBOs) to support quality improvement. The initial procedures describe activities undertaken by the research team to facilitate BHF delivery.
Identifying Community Partners An interdisciplinary network across the Mountain West region will provide infrastructure for applied research addressing obesity-related disparities among low-income families in rural and micropolitan communities in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and surrounding states. This network will identify clinical organizations and CBOs to partner in identifying eligible patients and delivering BHF.
Clinical Organizations Participating clinical organizations will complete data-sharing agreements enabling PHM strategies to identify eligible children and caregivers through EHRs and conduct outreach via text messaging. Agreements permit study procedures to be conducted by the University of Utah research team, reducing burden on clinical partners.
The PHM strategy:
Community-Based Organizations CBO partners in corresponding geographic areas will deliver BHF. Enrolled families will be connected to local CBO programs. Data-sharing agreements will allow access to de-identified program evaluation data for secondary analysis.
Up to eight communities will be enrolled, adding two every six months beginning late in Year 1, through a standardized Request for Applications (RFA) process. Informational webinars disseminated through regional networks will describe BHF and application procedures. Communities will be selected based on:
Communities lacking required partnerships may apply for a partnership development award ($3,000) to build clinical collaborations, followed by a brief report and Organizational Readiness for Change survey after six months.
Community Implementation Teams Each CBO will establish a Community Implementation Team (CIT) including program, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle coordinators plus volunteers. Team composition is determined locally.
CIT members will receive access to the online BHF program platform and will complete electronic consent for evaluation activities including surveys, interviews, learning collaborative participation, lightning reports, and direct observations. BHF delivery follows the existing packaged intervention without modification.
Semi-Annual Surveys Surveys assessing training resources, facilitation, and context will be completed every six months beginning shortly after program access and continuing through six months after completion of a second cohort.
Program Package Engagement The package includes materials, training modules, knowledge checks, fidelity assessments, and a data portal, as well as screening for social needs. The Action Learning Collaborative will support development of community-specific plans addressing social determinants of health, particularly food insecurity.
Knowledge checks and fidelity assessments are embedded within the program, with de-identified aggregated data available to the research team.
Time Tracking CIT members will track activities associated with dissemination and implementation strategies using a web- or app-based system.
BHF Action Learning Collaborative CITs will participate in quarterly learning sessions and action periods following Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles addressing recruitment, readiness, engagement, implementation quality, sustainability, effectiveness, maintenance, social determinants of health, and coordination with clinical partners. Activities include synchronous sessions, on-demand support, and mid-quarter lightning reports to review progress and address barriers. Rapid qualitative analysis will inform action plans returned to CITs for ongoing improvement.
Sessions and technical interactions will be recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.
Direct Observations Observers will attend BHF sessions (1-18 per community) to assess fidelity using standardized checklists, attendance counts, and documentation of adaptations. Observers will minimize interaction and clarify that observations evaluate program delivery rather than individual performance.
Key Informant Interviews Semi-structured interviews with CIT members will assess strategies affecting RE-AIM outcomes and i-PARIHS constructs, including innovation characteristics, recipient factors, facilitation, and contextual influences.
Recruitment Procedures Text messaging content will be developed through iterative user-centered design with caregivers and community partners to ensure cultural and regional appropriateness and reduce stigma.
Participating clinical organizations will identify eligible families (child aged 5-12 years with BMI ≥85th percentile, recent clinical encounter, valid contact information, and permission for text contact). Families will receive mailed study information with multiple opt-out options including postcard, QR code form, telephone, or email.
Families not opting out within two weeks will be randomized to one of four outreach conditions:
Family Participation Interested families will enroll in BHF through local CBOs and complete orientation, consent, and baseline assessments including anthropometric measures, behavioral factors, and social determinants of health. Data will be stored in the BHF program portal.
Families will attend weekly two-hour group sessions for 12 weeks followed by ongoing sessions up to one year. Attendance, body weight, physical activity, nutrition, and self-monitoring will be recorded. Individual-level data will be obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months.
As part of the sequential design, enrolled families will be randomized to:
Resource Connection CITs will identify and connect families with community resources based on screening for needs, particularly food insecurity, using established guidance such as the PRAPARE toolkit. Strategies may include assistance with school meal programs, SNAP eligibility, and local food support services.
Each CBO will implement two cohorts over two years.
Outcomes The primary outcome is reach, defined as the proportion of interested families completing the BHF orientation session. Primary hypotheses compare recruitment effectiveness between single versus repeated text outreach.
Secondary outcomes include:
Inclusion Criteria:
Families
Parent or legal caregiver and at least one child aged 5 to 12 years
Child identified through electronic health record data from a participating clinical organization
Child has had at least one clinical encounter at the participating site within the past 12 months
Child has body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex
Caregiver has not opted out of receiving text communication from the clinic
Valid mailing address and telephone number listed in the electronic health record
Parents and/or Caregivers
Parent or legal caregiver of an eligible child
Responsible for the child's care and able to provide consent for program participation
Children
Aged 5 to 12 years at time of identification
Meet all criteria listed above
Exclusion Criteria:
Child has a medical condition or contraindication that precludes participation in moderate physical activity
Child has severe cognitive or physical impairment that would prevent participation in the intervention
Child or family is currently participating in another structured weight management or obesity treatment program
Family opts out of receiving study-related communications
madeleine.french@utah.edu6166175034