Understanding the social networks that form within the context of an obesity prevention intervention

Abstract

Background. Antiobesity interventions have generally failed. Research now suggests that interventions must be informed by an understanding of the social environment. Objective. To examine if new social networks form between families participating in a group-level pediatric obesity prevention trial. Methods. Latino parent-preschool child dyads (N=79) completed the 3-month trial. The intervention met weekly in consistent groups to practice healthy lifestyles. The control met monthly in inconsistent groups to learn about school readiness. UCINET and SIENA were used to examine network dynamics. Results. Children's mean age was 4.2 years (SD=0.9), and 44% were overweight/obese (BMI<85 th percentile). Parents were predominantly mothers (97%), with a mean age of 31.4 years (SD=5.4), and 81% were overweight/obese (BMI<25). Over the study, a new social network evolved among participating families. Parents selectively formed friendship ties based on child BMI z-score, (t=2.08; P