Masters Student McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Background: Children frequently struggle with sleep, nutrition, physical activity and mental health. Video-based knowledge translation (KT) tools for this population may increase scientific health knowledge and influence health-conductive behaviour change; however, a clear demonstration of video-based KT effectiveness is needed. Objective: The objective of this formative study is to examine the feasibility of an online video-based KT program as an effective behaviour change resource for children enrolled in a weight management program. Design/Methods: This study is an online, prospective observational pilot study in 50 children aged 9-14 years old, enrolled in a pediatric weight management program. All participants received the intervention, consisting of four online video-based KT workshops (sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and mental health) and one follow-up questionnaire completed over the course of one month. The primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability, measured as study completeness and participant feedback. A mixed-methods approach is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the KT tools, with the following metrics: knowledge changes, self-reported sleep quality, intention to change behaviour.
We hypothesize that participants would complete the intervention with minimal attrition ( < 15%) and that participants would find the videos to be useful educational tools. To date, we have had 38 individuals consent to the program. Of these 38, 28 have completed the program in full, 5 are in progress, 1 has withdrawn, and 4 have been lost to follow up (13% attrition). Participants who completed the intervention have reported they found the videos to be useful educational tools, and this is further supported by statistical analyses showing an 18.9% overall increase in pre/post knowledge change (22.3% sleep, 26.4% nutrition, 5.3% mental health, 17.9% exercise). Additionally, participants have reported the introduction of positive behaviour changes into their daily lives as indicated by the qualitative free-form responses, and informal conversations with participants.
