Rationale and design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescent Latina girls and their mothers

Elva M Arredondo; Jennifer Schneider; Marisa Torres-Ruiz; Victoria Telles; Katie Thralls Butte; Michelle West; Miriam Maldonado; Kathleen Gallagher; Scott Roesch; Guadalupe X Ayala; Tom Baranowski

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101137

Rationale and design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescent Latina girls and their mothers

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2023 Apr 20:33:101137. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101137. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Affiliations

¹ Psychology Department, San Diego State University, USA.
² School of Public Health, San Diego State University Foundation, USA.
³ Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Public Health at San Diego State University (SDSU), The University of California, San Diego, USA.
⁴ Health and Human Performance, Seattle Pacific University, USA.
⁵ School of Public Health, San Diego State University, USA.
⁶ Baker Elementary School, USA.
⁷ Pediatrics-Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicines, USA.

Abstract

Background: Hispanic/Latina girls have a low prevalence of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) compared to their male counterparts and non-Hispanic White girls. Mothers influence their children's activity levels by creating and supporting PA opportunities, modeling PA, and reinforcing children's efforts to be physically active. The Conmigo trial will evaluate a mother-daughter intervention to promote PA and examine potential mechanisms of change including mothers' PA, parenting regarding PA, and mother-daughter communication.

Method: This randomized controlled trial examines the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a 12-week intervention promoting PA in preadolescent Latina girls in San Diego County, CA. Participants (n = 90 dyads) are randomized to the Conmigo PA intervention or to a control group that receive an abbreviated version of the intervention. The intervention was informed by Social Cognitive Theory and Family Systems Theory and emphasize family-level factors to promote PA using an actor-partner model. Mothers and daughters attend weekly 90-min sessions in English or in Spanish via Zoom video conferencing, supported by facilitator follow-ups and WhatsApp supportive chat group for mothers. Objective (accelerometer) and self-report measures at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months capture the frequency and intensity of PA and correlates and predictors of PA. We also examine the impact of the intervention on the bidirectional influence of mother-daughter PA.

Implications: The findings from the Conmigo trial will form the basis of a randomized controlled community trial and will move the field forward in identifying targets of change in preventing chronic disease risk in Hispanic/Latino communities.

Keywords: Dyadic intervention; Exercise; Health equity; Health promotion; Hispanic/Latinos.

Grants and funding

U54 MD012397/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States