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HomeStyles: Recruitment Strategies for a Childhood Obesity Prevention Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
MartinBiggers Jennifer T,
Delaney Colleen,
Koenings Mallory,
ByrdBredbenner Carol
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.422.2
Subject(s) - phone , social media , newspaper , credibility , intervention (counseling) , receipt , childhood obesity , medicine , coaching , randomized controlled trial , medical education , psychology , advertising , nursing , obesity , business , political science , overweight , philosophy , linguistics , accounting , surgery , law , psychotherapist
Participant recruitment is one of the biggest challenges when conducting research. HomeStyles is an online 18‐month childhood obesity prevention randomized control trial with intervention families receiving weight‐related diet, activity, and sleep instructional guides and control families receiving home safety guides. A literature review of recruitment strategies was conducted and a systematic plan for recruitment was created and iteratively refined to be responsive to emerging and receding opportunities. All methods used program branded printed materials, uniform scripted communications on cash stipends and nonfinancial benefits of participation, and brief study description to establish credibility. The following recruitment efforts were used: 1) emails posted to listservs of workplaces, philanthropic, community, preschools/day care centers, professional associations, extracurricular activity groups sent ≥3 times over 16 month recruitment period; 2) postings to websites, such as online community newspapers, local businesses, parent blogs, and HealthyHomeStyles.com intervention site; 3) social media, including project Facebook and Pinterest pages; 4) printed newspapers and child cooking magazine articles (i.e., ChopChop); 5) face‐to‐face recruitment at community events, parent resource centers, WIC offices, farm markets; 6) community partners who distributed program branded printed informational flyers at their sites (e.g., community centers, pediatrician offices, fitness centers, schools and preschool/day care centers); 7) radio and Spanish‐speaking television interviews; 8) personal contact with colleagues, family, friends, neighbors, and professional listservs. Follow‐up phone calls to partners and personal contacts were made ≥twice to confirm receipt of program information and answer questions. Materials created for recruitment in English and Spanish included: flyers of varying reading levels, bookmarks, posters, and brief informational videos for dietitians, pediatricians, and educators. Families successfully recruited into the program reported learning about HomeStyles from their child's school, preschool, or daycare; a family member or friend; Facebook ad; or their doctor (16.2%, 15.2%, 9% and 0.4%, respectively). Most learned about HomeStyles through other sources (44.5%), including electronic listserv notices, workplace presentations, and marketing survey company (41%). The results coupled with the extend recruitment period (16 months) indicates a need for intensive, varied recruitment strategies. Support or Funding Information USDA NIFA #2011‐68001‐30170