Engaging Children to Support Parental Weight Loss: A Randomized Trial
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| Title: | Engaging Children to Support Parental Weight Loss: A Randomized Trial |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Winston, Ginger (ORCID |
| Source: | Health Education & Behavior. Oct 2019 46(5):755-762. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 8 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Children, Eating Habits, Parent Child Relationship, Parents, Intervention, Body Weight, Compliance (Psychology), Exercise, Body Composition, Body Height, Preadolescents, Adolescents, Social Support Groups, Physical Activity Level, Program Effectiveness, Family Environment, Predictor Variables |
| Geographic Terms: | District of Columbia |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1090198119853005 |
| ISSN: | 1090-1981 |
| Abstract: | Background: Despite evidence that social network members influence the eating behaviors of adults, no study to date has had the primary aim of examining children as support partners for parents in a weight loss intervention. Aim: To evaluate parent adherence with eating/exercise goals and weight loss in a 6-month study engaging children as support partners. Method: Adults with obesity (body mass index = 30 kg/m2, n = 102) and at least one child =12 years were randomized to a child support or control group. In the child support group, children enrolled with their parent and engaged in a supportive behavior 2 days/week. In the control group, there was no enrolled child support. Parents in both groups selected a healthy eating strategy and daily step goal. Results: There was no difference in weight loss between the child support and control groups (-5.97 vs. -5.42 lbs, p = 0.81). In the child support group, 30% of children did not engage in the study. The majority of parents whose children did not engage withdrew from the study. In secondary analyses, parent adherence with eating/exercise goals increased with the days of child support (p < 0.001). For all participants, low chaos in the home environment (p < 0.04) and increased parent adherence with follow-ups (p < 0.008) predicted weight loss. Conclusions. We found no treatment effect of child support on weight loss. Active child support of eating/exercise goals appeared to facilitate goal adherence, while anticipated but unrealized child support may have had iatrogenic consequences. Further investigation of family-focused weight loss interventions is warranted. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1228854 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Despite evidence that social network members influence the eating behaviors of adults, no study to date has had the primary aim of examining children as support partners for parents in a weight loss intervention. Aim: To evaluate parent adherence with eating/exercise goals and weight loss in a 6-month study engaging children as support partners. Method: Adults with obesity (body mass index = 30 kg/m2, n = 102) and at least one child =12 years were randomized to a child support or control group. In the child support group, children enrolled with their parent and engaged in a supportive behavior 2 days/week. In the control group, there was no enrolled child support. Parents in both groups selected a healthy eating strategy and daily step goal. Results: There was no difference in weight loss between the child support and control groups (-5.97 vs. -5.42 lbs, p = 0.81). In the child support group, 30% of children did not engage in the study. The majority of parents whose children did not engage withdrew from the study. In secondary analyses, parent adherence with eating/exercise goals increased with the days of child support (p < 0.001). For all participants, low chaos in the home environment (p < 0.04) and increased parent adherence with follow-ups (p < 0.008) predicted weight loss. Conclusions. We found no treatment effect of child support on weight loss. Active child support of eating/exercise goals appeared to facilitate goal adherence, while anticipated but unrealized child support may have had iatrogenic consequences. Further investigation of family-focused weight loss interventions is warranted. |
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| ISSN: | 1090-1981 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1090198119853005 |
