This program is for children who are 2 to 5 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or higher for their age and gender and their parents or caregivers.

Learning about Activity and Understanding Nutrition for better Child Health (LAUNCH), a clinic- and home-based program, is designed to help parents understand the importance of healthy eating and daily physical activity.  

Results from a randomized trial indicate that children in the LAUNCH group had a significantly greater decrease in BMI z-scores, BMI percentile, and gained significantly less weight than children in a control group immediately after the program ended. These differences were maintained at 6 months.  Parents in the LAUNCH program achieved a significantly greater weight loss and lower BMI than parents in the control group immediately and 6 months later. Children in the LAUNCH group achieved a significantly greater decrease in daily caloric intake and the number of high calorie foods and beverages consumed. Also, a significant increase in the number of fruits and vegetables in the home was observed immediately after the program. Six months later, only a significant decrease in high calorie foods was sustained in LAUNCH families.  An additional study examined these outcomes 12 months after the program ended and found that significantly fewer children in the intervention group had a BMI over the 50th percentile compared to children whose parents only received motivational interviewing but not the control group. Intervention children were consuming significantly fewer high-calorie foods and overall caloric intake when compared to both groups. Parental reductions in BMI in the intervention group were not maintained. Finally, no significant differences were observed for physical activity behavior.

Phase 1 consists of group parent clinic sessions and individual home visits. Sessions focus on dietary education, physical activity, and parenting skills. Children attend group sessions that include nutrition education through games, trying new foods, and completing 15 minutes of physical activity. Parents complete the following:

• Track personal dietary intake and their child's dietary and beverage intake using a DietTracker application;
• Decrease screen time and increase physical activity for themselves and their children by being given a pedomter to monitor steps; and
• Expose children to new vegetables.  Parents are given a 14-day supply of vegetables at each of the clinic sessions.

In home sessions, skills taught in the clinic sessions are supported and reinforced.  Parents complete following:

• Conduct vegetable taste tests with their child;
• Role play strategies such as enforcing limits on screen time or managing child resistance to introduction of new foods;
• Clean out high calorie, low nutrient foods in the home; and
• Create safe places for physical activity in the home.

Phase 2 also consists of group parent clinic sessions and home visits that focus on helping families continue to make or maintain the lifestyle changes and overcome barriers.

No previous use information beyond the evaluation study could be located.

Parent group sessions are conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist.  Child group sessions are conducted by a pediatric psychology postdoctoral fellow.  Home sessions are conducted by a psychology postdoctoral fellow.  No information on specific training for program implementation or training costs was located.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring buy-in and commitment from parents as this program requires life-style adjustments and facilitators will come into homes to observe and make changes, understanding that this program has strict parameters for participation, and finding educationally qualified professionals to deliver the program.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing LAUNCH, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Phase 1 of the program includes 12 weekly sessions that alternate between home sessions that last 60 to 90 minutes and group clinic sessions that last 90 minutes. Phase 2 includes an additional 12 weeks with sessions held every other week that alternate between individual home sessions and clinic group sessions.

No information about implementation costs was located.

To move LAUNCH to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes.  This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals.  Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Lori Stark by mail Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 3015, Cincinnati, OH 45229, phone 513-636-4336, or email lori.stark@cchmc.org

Stark et al. (2011) and Stark et al. (2017)