Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of an online Latina mother-daughter physical activity intervention

Authors: ARREDONDO, ELVA - San Diego State University; SCHNEIDER, JENNIFER - San Diego State University; TORRES-RUIZ, MARISA - San Diego State University; TELLES, VICTORIA - San Diego State University; BUTTE, KATIE - Seattle Pacific University; LAFUENTE, OLIVIA - San Diego State University; FORMAGINI, TAYNARA - San Diego State University; CISNEROZ, ATHENA - San Diego State University; ROESCH, SCOTT - San Diego State University; BARANOWSKI, TOM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); AYALA, GUADALUPE - San Diego State University

Submitted to: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2026
Publication Date: 4/28/2026
Citation: Arredondo, E.M., Schneider, J.L., Torres-Ruiz, M.S., Telles, V.M., Butte, K., Lafuente, O., Formagini, T., Cisneroz, A., Roesch, S.C., Baranowski, T., Ayala, G.X. 2026. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of an online Latina mother-daughter physical activity intervention. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2025-0646.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2025-0646

Interpretive Summary: Latina girls have low rates of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA). The current study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of Conmigo, a mother–daughter PA intervention for preadolescent Latinas (ages 8–11) delivered online. Satisfaction with the program was high, and qualitative findings indicated that the curriculum met families' needs. However, no significant changes were observed in daughters' PA. While marginal improvement was found in parent limit setting, there were no other changes in parenting outcomes. Thus, online mother–daughter PA interventions may represent a scalable strategy to reach Latino families, but more enhancements are needed.

Technical Abstract: Latina girls have low rates of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) compared with their male counterparts and non-Hispanic White girls. The current study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of Conmigo, a mother-daughter PA intervention for preadolescent Latinas (ages 8-11) delivered online. Seventy-nine mother-daughter dyads were recruited. Dyads were randomized to a PA intervention or a delayed, abbreviated control condition. The PA intervention consisted of 12 weekly 1.5-hour virtual PA sessions. Feasibility was measured by the delivery, receipt, and enactment of the intervention; acceptability was measured by satisfaction in surveys and interviews in the PA intervention condition. PA and associated secondary outcomes were measured at baseline and follow-up (12 wk) using accelerometry and self-report. Most mothers had some college education (63.3%), and 44.3% worked full time; most daughters were US-born (91.1%) compared with mothers (38.0%). Program fidelity was high (81%-95%) with a mean attendance of 6.2 (SD=4.6) across 12 sessions. Satisfaction was high (mean=4.6, SD=0.8). Qualitative findings indicated that the curriculum met families' needs. No significant changes were observed in daughters' accelerometer-assessed or self-reported PA. A marginal improvement (Beta=0.37, P<.05) was found in limit-setting behavior; other parenting outcomes and dyadic effects were nonsignificant. Qualitative and quantitative findings were not fully aligned regarding feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the online Conmigo program. Nonetheless, online mother-daughter PA interventions may represent a scalable strategy to have high reach among Latino families.