The Effectiveness of Family-Based Participation Behavior Modification Program on Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Obesity in Children

The increasing of childhood obesity is closely related to the advanced electronic media which is associated with a screen-based sedentary behavior. It is important to decrease the screen-based sedentary behavior that can result in decreasing the incidence of childhood obesity. However, the literature on the intervention for screen-based sedentary behavior has been limited. Therefore, the aims of this three-year grant proposal will be: 1). to understand the correlation of screen-based sedentary behavior, physical activity, and obesity in children. 2). to analyze the difference of screen-based sedentary behavior, physical activity, and obesity in children, 3).to explore the effectiveness of family-based participation behavior modification program on screen-based sedentary behavior, physical activity, and obesity in children. Three stages will be conducted to complete this study. The first stage is a descriptive study by using purposive sampling, targeting on children aged 10-12 who are elementary school students. The second stage is an experimental study. Children who used screen time ³3 hours/day will be recruited. Study subjects will be randomized assigned to experimental or control groups. Experimental group will give family-based participation behavior modification program intervention, whereas children in the control group keep usual care. A total of 70 children will be necessary for this study. Data collection will be done before, during, and after the intervention. Outcome measures will include screen-based sedentary behavior scale, Physical Activity Scale, and body mass index. Descriptive analysis will be used for comparison between basic characteristics and scale scores. Pearson’s correlation is used to test the correlation of screen-based sedentary behavior, physical activity, and obesity. Paired t-test used to detect difference between the two groups. GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) analysis will be conducted to estimate the effects of behavioral modification training on screen time, physical activity, and obesity. The results of this study will provide empirical evidence for health care providers to improve screen-based sedentary behavior, and help them improve their psychological health in the future.