The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment for African-American adolescents with obesity and their overweight or obese caregiver (e.g., parent). Families who decide to participate in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: the FIT Families group or the Home-Based Family Support (HBFS) group. This means participants have a 50/50 chance (like flipping a coin) of being in either group. Participants randomized to FIT Families will have in-home sessions with a community health worker (CHW) twice a week for the first three months, and once a week for the second three months. Participants randomized to HBFS will have in-home sessions once a week for six months with a community health worker. Participants in both groups will receive education and support for healthier lifestyles.
The study will last 18 months. During the 18-month study period, youth and caregivers will wear a FitBit activity tracker, complete study assessments, have their height and weight measured, and provide finger prick blood samples to be tested for blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Potential benefits to caregivers and youth who participate in the study include: positive changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors and weight loss, decrease in health risks associated with obesity, and improved family relations, though these cannot be guaranteed.

Asthma has high morbidity and mortality among adolescents and among youth from non-urban (i.e., rural and suburban) communities, both of whom are seldom included in asthma intervention research. This study will test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of high school-based intervention delivered by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to non-urban adolescents with uncontrolled asthma, and will examine factors associated with delivery of the intervention.