U.S. experts have introduced an innovative initiative suggesting that simple actions like sending text messages can make a significant impact in the fight against childhood obesity. This unique approach was proposed by Professor Dr. Eliana Perrin from Johns Hopkins University.
In a study co-led by Dr. Perrin, it was found that combining traditional health counseling with text messaging and digital feedback can help prevent early-age obesity, potentially averting lifelong weight-related issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five school-aged children was affected by obesity in 2017-18, a rate that increased during and after COVID-19. While solutions primarily depend on personal interventions, these have only been moderately successful.
Dr. Perrin noted that parents are eager for more information to support their children’s healthy growth, and a significant number of them have smartphones. For the study, researchers selected nearly 900 parent-infant pairs from six medical centers. All infants were under 21 days old, born healthy after 34 weeks, and without any chronic medical conditions that could impact weight gain.
The pairs were divided into two groups and received education through the Green Light program, which included guidance on healthy diets and counseling from primary care providers. Additionally, age-appropriate educational booklets with goal-setting suggestions were sent to parents. Half of the parents also received specially designed messages from an automated system.
The children of parents who received these messages showed improved health growth between their first and second birthdays.
