P02.134 LB
Purpose: This report describes changes in health behaviors of the first 70 study completers enrolled in two NIH-funded pilot clinical trials examining omega3 fatty acids and psychotherapy in treating children aged 7 to 14 with depression and bipolar disorder-not otherwise specified.
Methods: Half the children were randomized into Individual-Family Psychoeducational Psychotherapy (IF-PEP), which includes several sessions focused on improving healthy habits. Pre-post change in health behaviors was compared for those in IF-PEP (n=37) vs active monitoring (n=33).
Results: At baseline, parents' top choice/s of a behavior to change was: 42.9% eat more fruits/vegetables; 28.6% play outside more often; 24.3% reduce screen time; 22.9% drink more water; 11.4% drink less sugared beverages; 8.6% eat less fast food; 5.7% remove TV from bedroom; and 0% switch to low-fat milk. In terms of baseline healthy habits, children ate 2.2 (±1.5) servings of fruit or vegetables daily, breakfast 5.5 (±2.2) times weekly, and fast food 2.0 (±1.1) times weekly. Beverage consumption included the following daily 8 oz servings: water 3.2 (±2.5); fruit/sports drinks 1.7 (±4.8); juice 1.1 (±1.4); reduced fat milk/soy milk/almond milk 1.6 (±1.4); soda 1.3 (±2.0); and whole milk 0.6 (±0.9). Families had 4.3 (±2.3) dinners together weekly. Children had 3.0 (±2.6) hours/day of screen-time and 1.6 (±1.3) hours/day of active play. 47.1% of children had a TV and 12.9% had a computer or tablet in their bedroom. Participation in IF-PEP was associated with small to medium effect sizes for increased water (Cohen's d=−.40) and whole milk consumption (Cohen's d=−.32), and decreased soda (Cohen's d=.39), and fast food consumption (Cohen's d=.27). Overall, there was a small effect size for decreased soda consumption for all participants (Cohen's d=.23).
Conclusion: IF-PEP contributed to improved health habits.
Contact: Mary Fristad, mary.fristad@osumc.edu
