Dissemination of an Adolescent Obesity Prevention Intervention to Louisiana Schools

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Abstract The goal of this R15 project is to disseminate the evidence-based SWITCH–MS intervention to Louisiana. The re-branded Louisiana-based Preventing Obesity Using Digital-assisted Movement and Eating (ProudMe) will retain the effective, school-based components of the SWITCH–MS but will also receive theory-informed, novel adaptations to integrate technology-based components tailored for the more racially diverse populations in Louisiana. We will enlist the aid of multiple trained student researchers to address two aims. In Aim 1, we will recruit 480 adolescents (11-13 years old in 6th-7th grades) from 48 classes across 12 schools (cluster- randomized to 6 ProudMe schools vs 6 wait-list control schools), to determine the effectiveness of the ProudMe intervention on obesity-prevention behaviors and weight status. In Aim 2, we will collect mixed- methods data from 24 school implementers (i.e., teachers, administrators, and staff), 96 adolescents, and 96 parents at the 6 ProudMe schools in early, mid, and late phases of the intervention, to capture adaptation and implementation indicators. Building on our previously funded works (e.g., R21HD090513, PI: Dr. Chen), this project will be led by a strong, collaborative, transdisciplinary team with experts from kinesiology, developmental psychology, nutrition, childhood obesity, computer science, statistics, and implementation science. Our team has developed the ProudMe prototype and is ready to beta test and then deploy the intervention for this proposed project. The advent of the project will significantly strengthen the research environment of the Louisiana State University (LSU) – a primarily undergraduate student serving institution under-funded by the NIH. The project is in line with the new LSU president’s vision of “scholarship first”, as it will create unique, practical research opportunities that are otherwise unavailable for LSU students who aspire to seek advanced education or careers in biomedical and health fields. We expect the ProudMe intervention to demonstrate sound effectiveness and implementation outcomes, adding new insights to the Dissemination and Implementation (D & I) research on adolescent obesity prevention. The intervention will directly benefit hundreds of Louisiana adolescents and their families and schools for obesity prevention. The findings will lead to our future R01 applications and broader dissemination of the ProudMe intervention.