Increased Monitoring of Physical Activity and Calories With Technology

Families attend an orientation, in which they are then scheduled for an initial introductory 2-hour intake group session and cooking class; these occur within 2-4 weeks of the orientation. Monthly 1-hour long visits with the dietitian, counselor, and PA specialist are held for 6 months, in which the child and caregiver see the pediatrician. During the 6 months of treatment, they attend 4 group classes, choosing from topics such as meal planning, PA, and parenting. Specialized visits with the PA specialist or dietician are scheduled as pertinent issues arise. Motivational interviewing, modified by Brenner FIT for use with families, is the key to treatment; family counselors are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, parenting support/mindfulness, and employ these approaches to assist families in developing healthy habits.

"Brenner mFIT includes all components of the standard Brenner FIT program in addition to six mobile health components.~The six mHealth components that will be used in addition to standard Brenner Families in Training program include-~1. a mobile-enabled website,~2. diet and physical activity tracking apps and physical activity tracker~3. tailored self-monitoring feedback~4. caregiver podcasts~5. animated videos for adolescent patients~6. social support via social media."