Feasibility study of a childhood obesity risk estimation tool
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Phase one of Wessex FRIEND (Family Risk IdEntificatioN and Decision): Feasibility testing of a Childhood Obesity Risk Estimation tool
IRAS ID
274818
Contact name
Nisreen A Alwan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 12 days
Research summary
Background
Obesity is one of the most pressing health concerns worldwide and childhood obesity is increasing across the UK. Our team has developed an online childhood obesity risk estimation tool, SLOPE CORE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors: Childhood Obesity Risk Estimation).Aim
The aim of this study is to test the feasibility of the SLOPE CORE tool, in a health care setting. This will enable the tool to be refined in preparation for further testing for effectiveness in combination with obesity prevention initiatives and eventual roll out.Methods
This study will utilise mixed methods to undertake feasibility testing of the SLOPE CORE tool, within an enhanced health-visiting programme available across Portsmouth and Southampton cities. Participating Health Visitors (HVs) will recruit families to the study, and then use the tool during one of their routine visits. A System Usability Scale will be used to assess the usability of the tool. Focus groups will then take place with both HVs and families enrolled on the study to gain a more detailed understanding of the feasibility of the tool in this setting. This will include gathering information about the ECHO programme and the relationship that develops between HVs and families.
Implications of the research
This research will test the feasibility of the SLOPE CORE tool. It will highlight any changes needed and allow us to refine the tool and ensure that it is useful in practice. It will help us to better understand the context in which the tool will be used and the impact that the relationships between HVs and families may have on families reaction to the tool. Once this is complete, the next steps would be to test the tool’s effectiveness in combination with an intervention for the prevention of childhood obesity, and then roll out the tool across the health-visiting programmes in our area. This will allow us to undertake further evaluation of the tool and prepare it for potential use nationwide.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0099
Date of REC Opinion
11 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion