The Family Life, Activity, Sun, Heath, and Eating (FLASHE) study: A comprehensive approach to evaluating family dyads and their cancer prevention behaviors

Purpose: The FLASHE study is designed to collect data in adolescents and their parents in multiple domains of environment and behavior, with a specific focus on family relationships. The FLASHE study will examine the correlates of obesogenic and cancer preventive behaviors among adolescents and their parents across intra- and interpersonal domains, including the community and home environment.

Methods: The design of NCI’s FLASHE study, a web-based survey, will be presented. The sampling design will select parent-adolescent dyads (n=2500) to collect data on multiple domains, including neighborhood/community and home environment, parenting relationships, psychosocial factors and behaviors. Accelerometers will be used to collect motion data from a subset of adolescents. A conceptual model was developed with constructs identified through a comprehensive literature review. Scientific conferences were held to review current research methodology. Opinion surveys with teams of scientific experts (n = 516) external to NCI were conducted in October 2011 to identify priority research areas and gaps. Cognitive testing was used to test and refine new questions developed for this survey.

Results: The highest priority research domains identified in diet include: Home food, community and school environment; psychosocial correlates of dietary behaviors; and parenting styles and practices related to diet behaviors. In contrast, the highest priority research domains in physical activity include: Community environment with neighborhood access and policy influences; school and home environment; sedentary behaviors; and parenting styles and practices.

Conclusions: These results strengthen the scientific purpose and survey goals of the FLASHE study