Perspectives and Impact of a Parent-Child Intervention on Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Behaviours, Parental Motivation, and Parental Body Composition: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by
Shazya Karmali 1, Danielle S. Battram 2, Shauna M. Burke 3
, Anita Cramp 4, Andrew M. Johnson 1,3, Tara Mantler 3, Don Morrow 1, Victor Ng 5, Erin S. Pearson 6, Robert J. Petrella 7, Patricia Tucker 8 and Jennifer D. Irwin 1,3,*
Shazya Karmali 1, Danielle S. Battram 2, Shauna M. Burke 3, Anita Cramp 4, Andrew M. Johnson 1,3, Tara Mantler 3, Don Morrow 1, Victor Ng 5, Erin S. Pearson 6, Robert J. Petrella 7, Patricia Tucker 8 and Jennifer D. Irwin 1,3,*
1
Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
2
Food and Nutritional Sciences, Western University, Brescia University College, London, ON N6G 1H2, Canada
3
School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
4
Middlesex London Health Unit, London, ON N6A 3N7, Canada
5
Department of Programs and Practice Support, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Mississauga, ON L4W 5A4, Canada
6
School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
7
Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
8
School of Occupational Therapy, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6822; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186822
Received: 14 August 2020 / Revised: 11 September 2020 / Accepted: 15 September 2020 / Published: 18 September 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management and Promotion of Healthy Habits and Active Life)
Adults and children in Canada are not meeting physical activity guidelines nor consuming sufficient nutrient-rich foods. High engagement in these unhealthy behaviours can lead to obesity and its associated diseases. Parent-child interventions aimed at obesity prevention/treatment have assisted families with making positive changes to their nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Given that the home environment shapes early health behaviours, it is important to target both parents and children when addressing diet and physical activity. One method that has been shown to improve health outcomes is co-active coaching. The current study explored the impact of a three-month co-active coaching and/or health education intervention on the dietary intake and physical activity behaviours of parents with overweight/obesity and their children (ages 2.5–10; of any weight). Body composition (i.e., body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference), changes in parental motivation with respect to physical activity and dietary behaviours, and parental perceptions of program improvements were collected. A concurrent mixed methods study comprised of a randomized controlled trial and a descriptive qualitative design was utilized. Fifty parent-child dyads were recruited and randomly assigned to the control (n = 25) or intervention (n = 25) group. Assessments were completed at baseline, mid-intervention (six weeks), post-intervention (three months), and six-month follow-up. A linear mixed effects model was utilized for quantitative analysis. Inductive content analysis was used to extract themes from parent interviews. No significant results were observed over time for the dependent measures. Parents in both control and intervention groups reported varied program experiences, including developing changes in perspective, increased awareness of habits, and heightened accountability for making positive changes in themselves, and consequently, their families. Parents also shared barriers they faced when implementing changes (e.g., time, weather, stress). Qualitatively, both groups reported benefitting from this program, with the intervention group describing salient benefits from engaging in coaching. This research expands on the utility of coaching as a method for behaviour change, when compared to education only, in parents with overweight/obesity and their children.
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Keywords:
overweight/obesity; parent-child dyad; coaching; physical activity; nutrition; motivation
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MDPI and ACS Style
Karmali, S.; Battram, D.S.; Burke, S.M.; Cramp, A.; Johnson, A.M.; Mantler, T.; Morrow, D.; Ng, V.; Pearson, E.S.; Petrella, R.J.; Tucker, P.; Irwin, J.D. Perspectives and Impact of a Parent-Child Intervention on Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Behaviours, Parental Motivation, and Parental Body Composition: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6822.
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