Water is K'é: Multi-level Intervention to Promote Healthy Beverage Choices Among Navajo Families

Launched by BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · Aug 25, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Water is K’é is a research study testing whether a Navajo cultural, family-focused program can help families choose healthier drinks and improve family well-being. It will enroll about 440 families with a child aged 2 to 5 who attends participating early-childhood education centers (like Head Start or FACE). The centers are randomly assigned to start the program now or be on a waitlist for a year, and families will follow participants for about 12 months. To join, at least one caregiver must live in the same home as the child and plan to stay in the home for the next year; other family members may also take part.

Over four months, the program uses four interactive lessons, family activities, a social media component, and a plan to improve access to drinking water at home and at the center. The comparison group will continue with usual services during the waitlist period and then receive the program later. Researchers will measure outcomes at about 4 months and again at 12 months, including how much water children and other family members drink, how much sugar-sweetened beverages are consumed, and energy from those drinks. They will also look at body size for children, well-being for adults, perceived access and confidence in drinking water, knowledge of Navajo water teachings, and whether traditional teachings influence drink choices, plus overall family cohesion. The study is led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital with data owned by the Navajo Nation, and no results are available yet.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • At least one of the following: child enrolled in participating early child education (ECE) program between 2 and 5 years of age; primary caregiver of that child (i.e. identifies as the person who assumes primary caregiver responsibilities of and resides in the same household as the child; or family member aged six or older identified by primary caregiver as an individual in the immediate family who either resides in the same household or visits frequently and day to day interactions with child);
• • Plans to reside in the same household for the next 12 months
• • If enrolled in ECE program, plans to participate in ECE program for the entire school year
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Plans to leave their residence in the next 12 months
• • If enrolled in ECE program, does not plan to participate in ECE program for the entire school year