Rural Kansas families invited to participate in virtual KU Medical Center study to promote healthy lifestyles

Rural Kansas families with elementary school-aged children have a free opportunity to get assistance adopting lifelong healthy habits via a new study led by the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Known as iAmHealthy Parents First, the study is the first randomized controlled trial in the world designed to examine the effectiveness of an integrated healthy lifestyle program for adults and children. It provides virtual coaching and education to parents and their elementary school children on nutrition, physical activity and behavioral skills for sustainable weight management.

“So many family health programs focus solely on children, but we know parents are tremendously influential role models,” said Christie Befort, Ph.D., professor of population health at KU School of Medicine and associate director of cancer prevention and control for The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

“By first equipping parents with skills for themselves and then transitioning to a family-based program, we aim to set the entire household up for success,” said Befort, who is co-principal investigator on the trial.

The program targets rural areas, which have higher rates of excess weight and more challenges in accessing healthy foods and physical activity programs than their urban counterparts and are thus at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various cancers. Investigators in the study have partnered with 16 school districts across the state to promote the program, including Ulysses USD 214; Girard USD 248; Renwick USD 267; Beloit USD 273; Nickerson/South Hutchinson USD 309; Onaga USD 322; Rock Creek USD 323; Phillipsburg USD 325; Jefferson West USD 340; South Gray Schools USD 371; Newton USD 373; Morris County USD 417; Skyline Schools USD 438; Rural Vista USD 481; Galena USD 499 and Oswego USD 504.

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The nine-month program starts by offering parents healthy lifestyle education before involving children in joint sessions. All meetings are held virtually, making it accessible for busy rural families. Those who qualify and complete the program receive up to $225, plus two free fitness trackers and a smart scale to keep.

Mandy Fincham of Beloit recently completed the iAmHealthy Parents First program with her fifth-grade son, Wake. “The instructors were so supportive, and now having conversations about health is just part of our everyday life as a family,” she said.

To be eligible, families must have a parent who is interested in learning strategies for healthy nutrition and physical activity and a child of elementary-school age (from first through fifth grades) who. The parent and child also must have elevated weight status and commit to attending online meetings.

“Parents of young children have unique barriers during the phase of life when raising children and managing numerous activities are the primary driver of daily lifestyle routines,” said Befort. “But this phase of life is also a great opportunity to prioritize health lifestyles, rather than postponing that priority until the children are older. Preventing the onset of chronic disease for them and their children is the driving factor.”

Davis and Befort aim to enroll 300 rural Kansas families in the study. “Focusing on parents first provides a solid foundation for the whole family’s journey,” said Ann M. Davis, Ph.D., MPH, co-principal investigator for the study and director of the Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition at KU Medical Center and Children’s Mercy. “We’re excited to help more local families get on the path to better health.”

The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Enrollment is open now for the Fall 2024 program. Visit www.iAmHealthyParentsFirst.org or call/text (833) 544-7433 to learn more.