A digital diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial

Authors: SOLTERO, ERICA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); PARTIDA, MARBELLY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); MIHAIL, SANDRA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); VILLANUEVA, LIZZETTE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); LOPEZ, CALLIE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); MUSAAD, SALMA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); O'CONNOR, TERESIA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); REDONDO, MARIA - Baylor College Of Medicine; BUMAN, MATTHEW - Arizona State University; Thompson, Deborah

Submitted to: JMIR Research Protocols
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2025
Publication Date: 4/15/2026
Citation: Soltero, E.G., Partida, M., Mihail, S., Villanueva, L., Lopez, C., Musaad, S.M., O'Connor, T.M., Redondo, M.J., Buman, M., Thompson, D.J. 2026. A digital diabetes prevention program for Hispanic adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols. 15. Article e75331. https://doi.org/10.2196/75331.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/75331

Interpretive Summary: Obesity is becoming more common among young people, especially among Hispanic adolescents, playing them at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Despite this, Hispanic youth are often underrepresented in research studies that aim to prevent diabetes, meaning fewer programs are designed with their specific needs, cultures, and daily realities in mind. This study is testing a new approach to diabetes prevention that uses digital tools to make healthy habits more accessible and more engaging for teens. Hispanic adolescents between the ages of 12 and 16 were invited to participate in a 12-week digital diabetes prevention program. Participants receive access to an online platform with nutrition education videos, a wearable activity tracker (Fitbit), and daily motivational text messages designed to encourage physical activity and healthy behaviors. In this study, we are asking the critical question: Can this kind of program actually work for teens in real life? To answer this question, we are evaluating how willing youth are to join the program, stay engaged over time, use the technology consistently, and feel satisfied with the experience. Early progress shows strong interest as enrollment is already underway; however, the final results for this project are forthcoming. This work is important because it helps researchers understand how to design diabetes prevention programs that are not only effective, but also accessible, age-appropriate, and appealing to today's adolescents and their families. By meeting adolescents where they are and using the technology they already use, this approach has the potential to reduce barriers to prevention and support healthier lifestyles during a critical stage of development. This study aligns with ARS priorities to enhance children's nutrition to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases among high-risk populations.

Technical Abstract: Hispanic youth are disproportionately impacted by obesity and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2D) yet remain underrepresented in diabetes prevention research. Digital health interventions hold promise for increasing the accessibility to and engagement in disease prevention programming, particularly among high-risk populations. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding digital T2D prevention programs for adolescents or Hispanic youth. The objective of this article is to describe the protocol for examining the feasibility of a 12-week digital diabetes prevention program among Hispanic adolescents with obesity. Participants (N=40; aged 12-16 years) will be randomized (1:1) to a 12-week intervention group or a control group. Youth in the intervention group will receive access to an e-learning platform with 12 nutrition and wellness video content sessions, a Fitbit Charge 5, and daily SMS text messages grounded in the self-determination theory to promote physical activity. Youth in the standard control group will receive information on diet and physical activity guidelines and guidance on setting behavior change goals. The study findings will focus on the evaluation of feasibility criteria: (1) recruitment of 40 Hispanic adolescents aged 12 to 16 years; (2) retention of 80% of the participants for postassessments; (3) integrity of the study protocol, defined as 70% or higher completion of content sessions and Fitbit wear on 5 days per week or more with response to 80% of SMS text messages when prompted; (4) 10% or lower incidence of technical issues; and (5) 80% or higher satisfaction among participants. This study was funded in August 2022 and intervention implementation is ongoing. To date, 35 participants have been enrolled. Study findings will be available before December 2026 and will focus on an evaluation of the a priori feasibility criteria on participant recruitment, data collection, integrity of the study protocol, technical issues, and satisfaction. Study findings will also focus on secondary outcomes. The feasibility and process evaluation data obtained from this study will provide novel insights on the use of digital T2D prevention strategies among Hispanic youth and families and will inform the development of future digital health interventions among high-risk pediatric populations.