Virtual intervention improves children’s healthy eating habits

iTHRIV grant focuses on Latino youth obesity

Fairfax, VA —Obesity rates are significantly higher among Latino youth in the United States, disproportionately putting these children at an increased risk for obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance. To address this persistent health disparity, Inova conducted a research study to measure the effectiveness of a family-based, Spanish-language virtual intervention. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Elyssa Wood, Inova Nurse Science Researcher, and conducted in partnership with HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, the intervention expanded an existing program, the Inova Healthy Plate Club (IHPC). Children and their guardians received education about healthy eating and participated in virtual, interactive cooking classes. Results included:

• Participants in the intervention group felt significantly more confident that they can increase the number of vegetables their child eats each week
• Mothers in the intervention group also reported feeling 7 times more likely than mothers in the comparison group that they could obtain fresh fruits and vegetables for their families during the week
• Mothers in the intervention group also reported being more confident than mothers in the comparison group that they could cook healthy meals for their family, including 8.5 times more likely to report eating vegetables with dinner

“IHPC increases vegetable consumption among children, and since 2016 more than 2,000 students have graduated,” commented Kate Garsson, MPH, Manager of Program Outreach and Education, Inova Community Health. “For this study, we brought the core elements of the Inova Healthy Plate Club – peer modeling, tasting vegetables multiple ways, and increasing cooking skills and confidence – directly to parents and children at home. It’s exciting to see not only the results of the study, but how many children in the intervention learned they like veggies such as kale and Brussels sprouts.”

The intervention was funded through a grant from the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV). The grant, which supports pilot studies that address community health needs, was conducted as a Community-Partnership Research Study with Dr. Medhine Anusha Wijetilleke and Dr. Stephanie Puloka, both physicians from HealthWorks for Northern Virginia. The topic of healthy eating was seen as a need by the providers and the community they serve.

“This pilot study demonstrated that a virtual family-based culturally adapted healthy eating intervention can improve knowledge and confidence about healthy eating behaviors for guardians of children at risk for obesity and overweight,” observed Dr. Elyssa Wood, Inova Nurse Science Researcher. “By developing and implementing community-based interventions that consider the unique needs and contexts of Spanish-speaking families, we can make significant strides in promoting healthier eating behaviors and addressing health disparities in our community.”

Spanish language version of press release

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About Inova

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers and outpatient services, Inova cares for more than one million patients annually, delivering the best clinical care and a seamless experience. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 22,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to every person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.