New models to support parents to pack healthy lunchboxes: Parents acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and adoption of the SWAP IT m-Health program

Abstract

Objectives: This report aims to evaluate the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and adoption of a healthy lunchbox program (SWAP IT), from the parent perspective. Methods: SWAP IT is an mobile health (m-Health) program aimed to support parents in swapping out discretionary foods for healthier alternatives. Following receipt of the program, parents completed validated scales assessing the Acceptability (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness (IAM), and Feasibility (FIM) via a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI). Parents were asked about their awareness of strategies in SWAP IT and whether the program supported them to make lunchbox swaps from discretionary to everyday foods. Results: Of the 679 parents who consented, 413 completed the CATI (61% response rate). Parent’s mean AIM score (out of a total score of 5) was 4.22 (SD 0.48); FIM score was 4.27 (SD 0.54); and IAM score was 4.24 (SD 0.54). Most parents reported receiving the lunchbox messages (54%), with 45% reporting opening all 10 messages and 64% of parents reporting the program helped swap out discretionary foods. Conclusion: The m-Health lunchbox program, SWAP IT, is highly acceptable, easy to adopt, appropriate, and feasible to parents. Implications to public health: Not only is SWAP IT effective, but favourable implementation factors highlight the potential scalability of the program in improving child nutrition.