Redsell SA, et al. – The feasibility and acceptability of using digital technology were examined for Proactive Assessment of Obesity Risk during Infancy (ProAsk). The evaluation displayed that ProAsk was acceptable to most parents and health visitors (HVs), however, intervention fidelity was low. The authors of this study found limited evidence to support the feasibility of implementing ProAsk without significant additional resources. Thus, further research was needed to evaluate ProAsk as a HV-supported, parent-led intervention.

Methods

• This study included 66 parents of infants and 22 HVs.
• ProAsk was delivered on a tablet device.
• It comprises a validated risk prediction tool to quantify overweight risk status and a therapeutic wheel detailing motivational strategies for preventive parental behaviour.
• Parents were encouraged to agree goals for behaviour change with HVs who received motivational interviewing training.
• Recruitment, response and attrition rates were assessed.
• Demographic details were collected, and overweight risk status. 
• Weight-for-age z-score was the primary outcome measure.
• Parenting self-efficacy, maternal feeding style, infant diet and exposure to physical activity/sedentary behaviour were considered as the secondary outcomes.
• Qualitative interviews ascertained the acceptability of study processes and intervention fidelity.

Results

• HVs screened 324/589 infants for inclusion in the study.
• 66/226 (29%) eligible infants were recruited.
• Assessment of overweight risk was completed on 53 infants and 40% of these were identified as above population risk.
• Findings showed that weight-for-age z-score (SD) between the infants at population risk and those above population risk differed significantly at baseline (-0.67 SD vs 0.32 SD). 
• HVs were able to collect data and calculate overweight risk for the infants.
• Protocol adherence and intervention fidelity was a challenge.
• HVs and parents found the information provided in the therapeutic wheel appropriate and acceptable.