User-centered design and development of a web-based tool to support healthy feeding practices by parents of urban minority youth at risk for childhood obesity

Abstract

Objectives Technology, mobile health (mHealth), and “eHealth” are broadly used in childhood overweight and obesity interventions. However, the impact of technology-based interventions where parents or caregivers are involved is unclear. Thus, the objective of this manuscript is to provide valuable insights about the development of a parent–child web-based tool to promote healthy eating among preadolescents. Methods The tool development was an iterative process and comprised of two phases. In Phase 1, formative research (focus groups and interviews) were conducted with parents of children around the topics of dietary behaviors, technology use, and proposed intervention components. In Phase 2, a brief survey, focus groups, interviews, and user-centered approaches were used to confirm/finalize content, assess the website wireframe, and conduct usability testing. Results From the Phase 1 formative research, parents preferred reading/looking up health-related information on larger laptop/tablet screens, but preferred smartphones when reading “on-the-go.” Suggestions for an online health tool included quick/easy/low-cost recipes, tips for healthy feeding and involving their children around healthy dietary-related behaviors, clear tool navigation, and using pictures/visuals. In Phase 2, when finalizing the tool wireframe and content, parents preferred a variety of motivational healthy feeding tips, local family-oriented community events, and a simple layout with minimal clicking to access links. During usability testing, parents responded positively to the content (healthy feeding tips, recipes, coupons, and free community events) and the clean layout. Conclusions Formative research and user-centered approaches with parents of preadolescents resulted in a web-based, mobile-friendly health promotion tool.