IMPACT: A Multi-Level Behavioral Intervention Trial for Middle School Urban Youth

This presentation describes the study design and methods of IMPACT (Ideas Moving Parents and Adolescents to Change Together), one of four NHLBI funded studies within its Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research Program.  IMPACT is a 3-group randomized, multi-level trial comparing the efficacy of two distinct family-based interventions coupled with a school-based fitness intervention, on body mass index (BMI) in middle school, disadvantaged urban youth who are overweight or obese (>85^th percentile BMI).  In addition, the study examines the role of peer norms (collected via a local YRBS) and objectively assessed home, school and neighborhood environments as moderators (i.e., assets or saboteurs) of program impact on outcomes of BMI blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life.

The study consists of 360 children entering 6^th grade from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, identified through an existing BMI screening program. Baseline data collection was completed in December, 2013; family and school interventions are underway.  The intervention period is 36 months, with follow up measures scheduled at 12, 24, and 36 months.  We will briefly describe the two family-based behavioral interventions (SystemCHANGE™ and HealthyCHANGE), each of which engages the entire family.  In addition, about half of the participants are enrolled in a K-8 public school that offers an innovative YMCA-sponsored fitness program (We Run This City Youth Marathon Program), where students train for 12-14 weeks to walk/run some part (i.e., 1.2 mile, 10k, ½ marathon) of the Cleveland Marathon.   A description of the baseline population and environmental indicators will be provided.