Mini-ME - an innovative and fun, early childhood obesity prevention program that will help AA girls aged 4-8 years adopt HEAL practices.

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Obesity among children is an escalating problem and among all other ethnic groups, African American (AA) children have the highest prevelance of pediatric obesity. One in 4 AA girls are obese – the obesity rate among AA girls is higher than girls of other ethnicities and AA boys as well. Obesity increases a child’s risk for various chronic lifestyle conditions and is associated with a greater likelihood of these conditions persisting in adulthood as well. Research suggests that the onset of obesity among girls begins around age 6, and it is important to address obesity prevention in early childhood since it is a crucial period for developing taste preferences and healthy behaviors. A lack of healthy eating and active living (HEAL) is the leading contributor to childhood obesity and there are various barriers such as cultural norms, lack of knowledge, lack of role models and safety concerns of neighborhoods, that prevent AA girls from adopting HEAL practices. For this Phase 1 SBIR project, we propose Mini-ME - an innovative and fun, early childhood obesity prevention program that will help AA girls aged 4-8 years adopt HEAL practices through observational learning and effective role modeling using a smart doll and an animated video series with reinforcement from primary caregivers. Mini-ME will be designed and developed by Benten Technologies, led by Principal Investigator (PI) Tony Ma, in collaboration with Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson of University of Minnesota (Co-I), Dr. Cotwright of University of Georgia (Co-I), and Tony Hu (Consultant) from the MIT Media Lab. The specific aims of this Phase I project are: 1) Develop a prototype of the Mini-ME program with a smart doll, animated video series, and a mobile app using formative research, initially for overweight/obese AA girls between the ages of 4-8 years old; 2) Conduct a 2-week pilot testing of Mini-ME with 20 overweight/obese AA girls between the ages 4- 8 years and their primary caregiver in a real-world setting to assess feasibility (engagement, usability, and acceptance). Impact: The short-term impact will be the feasibility, acceptance and engagement of AA girls and their primary caregiver with the Mini-ME program, and evaluate feasibility and acceptance of the smart doll and video characters to serve as role models for HEAL behaviors. If successful, this study will demonstrate that the development and implementation of a play and media-based intervention for obesity prevention among children is feasible. For Phase II, we plan to complete the development of the 12-week program, complete the “Imani and Me” video series with additional fun, engaging and educational episodes, and test the effects of the Mini-ME program on increasing knowledge and self-efficacy related to HEAL practices, and improving the adoption of HEAL behaviors i.e., adoption of healthy eating patterns and engagement in PA, among AA girls.