A Mobile Phone Based Pilot Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Latino Preschool Children

The investigators will pilot an mHealth intervention using a prospective control group design with 66 caregiver-child dyads (33 intervention and 33 comparison) recruited from two community based agencies in East Los Angeles. Fidelity and feasibility will be assessed. Pre- and post- intervention data (child dietary, physical activity, and media viewing behaviors and BMI z-scores) will be collected to estimate preliminary effect sizes and standard deviations. The mHealth intervention has been informed by a previous feasibility study and focus groups with Latino caregivers of 2- to 5-year old children. This mHealth childhood obesity intervention specifically targets Latino mothers, fathers, and grandmothers of 2- to 5-year olds. The intervention focuses on parenting skills, dietary, physical activity, and media-viewing behaviors consistent with American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.