Researchers tested a new online program called Dynamo Kids to help families with children who struggle with weight. The program was offered at a safety-net hospital in Dallas to 10 doctors and 581 families with kids ages 6-12. While only 46 families actually used the program, both parents and doctors said they liked it and felt it helped them learn better ways to support healthy eating and exercise. The study shows the program could work well, especially for families who don’t have lots of money for other weight-loss programs, but more testing is needed to prove it really works.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether an online program called Dynamo Kids could help doctors and families manage childhood weight problems in a hospital that serves low-income patients
  • Who participated: 46 families with children ages 6-12 who were overweight, and 10 doctors from three different clinics at a safety-net hospital in Dallas, Texas. The study ran from August 2020 to April 2021
  • Key finding: Most families and doctors who used Dynamo Kids said they liked it and felt more confident about helping kids eat healthier and exercise more. Kids showed improvements in their weight measurements, and families spent an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes using the website over three months
  • What it means for you: If you have a child who struggles with weight and visit a clinic that offers this program, it may be a helpful tool that’s designed to be easy to use and understand. However, this was a small test, so more research is needed before we know how well it works for everyone

The Research Details

Researchers created a new online program called Dynamo Kids and tested it at a hospital in Dallas that serves families with lower incomes. They asked 10 doctors to offer the program to families with overweight children ages 6-12. The study used something called the RE-AIM framework, which is a way to measure whether health programs actually work in real-world settings. Instead of just looking at numbers, the researchers also talked to families and doctors to understand what they thought about the program. They collected information in eight different ways, including surveys, interviews, and tracking how much families used the website.

Many weight-loss programs are expensive or hard to access for families without a lot of money. This study is important because it tested whether an online program could work in a regular doctor’s office that serves low-income families. By looking at both the numbers and what people actually thought, researchers could see if the program was practical and helpful in the real world, not just in a perfect research setting

This study has some strengths: it used multiple ways to collect information (surveys, interviews, and website tracking), it included real doctors and families from a real hospital, and it looked at what actually happened in practice. However, it also has limitations: only 46 families out of 581 actually used the program, which is a small number, and there was no comparison group to see if the program worked better than doing nothing. The study also happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected how families used the program

What the Results Show

Most families who used Dynamo Kids reported being satisfied with the program. Both parents and doctors said they felt more knowledgeable and confident about helping children with weight management. Kids whose families used the program showed improvements in their weight measurements and their family’s nutrition and physical activity habits improved. On average, families spent about 2 hours and 24 minutes using the website over the three-month period, though some families used it much more than others. Doctors and families described the program as important, trustworthy, easy to understand, and designed with their needs in mind.

The research team found that families and doctors appreciated that the program was tailored to their specific situations and felt it was accessible to them. Both groups said they would want the program to continue and expand to help more families. The diverse backgrounds of the families and doctors who participated showed that the program could work for different groups of people. Doctors reported gaining new skills and knowledge about treating childhood weight problems through the program

This study builds on earlier research about Dynamo Kids that showed children’s weight measurements improved and families’ healthy behaviors increased. This new study goes deeper by examining whether the program actually works in a real doctor’s office and whether doctors and families think it’s useful. The findings align with other research showing that online programs can help with weight management, but this study specifically looks at whether they work for families with lower incomes in regular healthcare settings

The biggest limitation is that only 46 families actually participated out of 581 who were offered the program, so we don’t know if the results would be the same for everyone. There was no control group (families who didn’t use the program) to compare results against. The study happened during COVID-19, which may have changed how families used the program and how doctors could offer it. The study was relatively short (about 9 months), so we don’t know if benefits last longer. Finally, the program was only tested in one hospital system in Dallas, so results might be different in other places

The Bottom Line

If your child’s doctor offers Dynamo Kids or a similar online weight management program, it appears to be worth trying, especially if you’re looking for an accessible option that doesn’t require a lot of money or travel. The program seems to help families learn better ways to support healthy eating and exercise. However, keep in mind this is still being tested, and you should talk with your doctor about what to expect. Confidence level: Moderate (the program showed promise, but more research is needed)

This program is designed for families with children ages 6-12 who are overweight or have obesity and who visit a primary care doctor. It may be especially helpful for families who have limited money or transportation to get to weight-loss programs. Families who are comfortable using websites and apps may get more benefit. This research is less relevant for families with very young children (under 6) or teenagers, as the program was designed for ages 6-12

Based on this study, families used the program for about three months and saw improvements in their knowledge and children’s weight measurements during that time. However, we don’t know how long the benefits last after families stop using the program. Most benefits appeared within the three-month period, but longer-term benefits would need to be studied

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly website usage time and set a goal of at least 30 minutes per week. Also track your child’s healthy behaviors like days per week with physical activity and servings of fruits and vegetables consumed
  • Use the app to set one specific family goal each week, such as ’take a 20-minute walk together three times this week’ or ’eat vegetables with dinner four nights this week.’ Check in daily to log whether you completed the goal
  • Check in with the app weekly to review your family’s progress on healthy eating and activity goals. Every month, review what’s working well and what’s challenging. Share your progress with your child’s doctor at regular checkups to make sure the program is helping and to adjust goals as needed

This research describes a pilot program that showed promise but needs more testing before we can be certain it works for everyone. The findings are based on a small group of families in one hospital system during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re interested in using this or similar programs for your child, please talk with your child’s doctor first. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new health program for your child, especially if your child has any medical conditions or takes medications.