BRAVO! Remote Lifestyle Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Healthy Eating among Hispanic Children: Feasibility Pilot Study

The role of regular physical activity and healthy eating in preventing obesity is well documented. Research has suggested that lifestyle interventions, i.e., programs comprising exercise, nutrition education, and behavior modification, are the preferred, non-invasive strategies to prevent childhood obesity. However, minority groups, e.g., underserved Latinx adolescents, experience high attrition rates and other barriers that limit their participation in obesity prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to examine indicators of the feasibility of the remotely delivered BRAVO! lifestyle intervention in preventing obesity among Latinx youth. This pilot study was a quasi-experimental trial with a sample of 11 pediatrician-referred participants (M[subscript age]=13.73±1.10) assigned to two parallel arms: 1) BRAVO! and 2) as-usual control arms. Researchers designed the BRAVO! lifestyle intervention program comprising 16 hours of remotely instructed (via zoom) exercise training and six hours of family nutrition education. Behavior modification strategies were based on the self-determination theory. The results showed high demand with program adherence being 93.3% and 86.7%, for exercise and nutrition, respectively. There was a statistically significant intervention effect on PA (F[1,8]=7.88, p=0.006, [eta]p2=0.42), integrated (F[1,8]=20.00, p=0.002, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.71), introjected regulation (F[1,8]=7.94, p=0.008, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.60), and amotivation (F[1,8]=18.24, p=0.002, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.69), and psychological well-being (F[1,8]=12.31, p=0.008, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.61). Finally, interview analyses showed that participants were highly satisfied with the BRAVO! program and they perceived BRAVO! suitable for them. In conclusion, our pilot study findings supported feasibility of the remotely delivered BRAVO! lifestyle intervention.